Nigeria comes into the 12 th Orange CAF U-20 African Championship that starts in Algeria this weekend as title holders but to their coach John Sam Obuh says that doesn’t count for anything going into this tournament. “

For a start this is a different team from two years ago and while that’s sounds nice to be called defending champions, you cannot expect that to simply win you the next tournament, so we are well prepared and ready to engage side in the competition”


Speaking to Cafonline.com ahead of his team’s opening match against fellow West Africans, Mali on Sunday in Oran, Obuh believes there are no small teams in the competition and every side has potential to do well so he has prepared his charges with this in mind, “ We respct every team here and for our first game, we expect a tough match against Mali who always have strong teams especially at youth level. Mali is always there or thereabout in such competitions and we have to play well to win but l am confident of my team and having done as much as a coach can, all that is left is for the good fortune from God that you always need to do well in football”


Like other coaches in the tournament, Obuh made no secret that the target for his side is a semi-final place, which gives Nigeria an automatic qualification for FIFA U-20 World Cup later on this year. “ We will take it one game at a time as we aim to make semis and from there on we will look to retain the Cup but securing a World Cup place is the top priority. It is almost like an added bonus to reach semis and this is motivation enough for the boys.


They want to go and play in the World Cup like the 2011 side and l tell them they too have an opportunity to be part of history by reaching Turkey where the U-20 World Cup will take place.”


Nigeria vs Mali will kick off at 17h30 local time in Oran- Algeria and will be followed in the same stadium by DR Congo vs Gabon kick off 20h30


http://www.cafonline.com/competition/can-u-20_2011/news/16495-being-defending-champions-wont-count-for-anything-nigerian-coach-john-obuh.html

Not really keen on the competition. Hardly any U20 amongst these guys. Unlike the current U17 team which is largely REAL U17

We go win. 2nd by the way..

Ok we don hear

Stanley Okoro is 16 years old.

I dey pity mail our r nt Smiling I trust our boys

Ok.... Noted. I will pray 2 my oga @ d top 2 giv us victory.

boron10: Stanley Okoro is 16 years old.

lolz, kanu 4 join as 12yrs old

supersport select will show it?

Akpa ife: I dey pity mail our r nt Smiling I trust our boys

smh, i dey imagine hw u go cry if nigeria lose

idnoble135:
smh, i dey imagine hw u go cry if nigeria lose

nigeria no fit lose

idnoble135:
smh, i dey imagine hw u go cry if nigeria lose

We lift d african cup of nation am sure our boys we do it again

boron10: Stanley Okoro is 16 years old.

Abeg leave "Little Messi" alone o! He will soon win the Ballon d'Or like his younger..., sorry older namesake.

boron10: Stanley Okoro is 16 years old.

hm! Even Joseph yobo is 19 years, Taiye Taiwo won the g.rammy award for the most HANDSOME African Footballer..

Owkie o...

Raypawer:

hm! Even Joseph yobo is 19 years, Taiye Taiwo won the g.rammy award for the most HANDSOME African Footballer..

and you think you'r making a joke? :/

Go Pikin Eagles go!
We should be able to trash the Malians 3-0.

Raypawer:

hm! Even Joseph yobo is 19 years, Taiye Taiwo won the g.rammy award for the most HANDSOME African Footballer..

Hahahahaha so am older dan yobo na lie I no belive ds na him be say I dey 8yrs

Akpa ife:
We lift d african cup of nation am sure our boys we do it again

Life is a basket of suprises

I trust my boys [color=#990000][/color]

I smell Victoria Victory

Go! The flying eagles (junior eagles) and replicate what ur senior eagles did in african nations cup,we support u, we re gonna pray for u too to triumph the african football all again.if u want flying eagles to retain the cup click LIKE.

Nigeria have won this tournament 6 times...the most of all time....so the boys will do it again

We must beat mali 4 0 today to proof dat our nations cup victory over dia senior team was not a fluke

Akpa ife: I dey pity mail our r nt Smiling I trust our boys

Is there a nursery school in your area that i can pay for you to go.

Lets go for The Treble.....win this one, also win the caf U17 coming up next month! thereby holding all the caf men competition trophy at the same time! no nation has ever done it.

Nigeria 5: mali: 100x0=

greateliso: Nigeria 5: mali: 100x0=

ZERO

It's going to be 4-1 again. Either junior or senior team, mali is still our kid

Do Us Proud guz

any links?