FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria Seek Redemption Against Ukraine

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will be on a redemption mission today as they go against Ukraine in their FIFA World youth championship final Group D clash today.

Interestingly, the Flying Eagles are staying back in Bielsko-Biala Stadium, Bielsko-Biała where lost 0-2 to USA in their second Group D outing on Monday, May 27, 2019

And Coach Paul Aigbogun expects a positive response from the Flying Eagles against their European opponents who have already qualified for the last 16 stage of the tournament.

With the possibility of elimination staring them in the face following the 0-2 pounding by United States the Nigerians are desperately in need of victory to accomplish their mission of progressing from the group.

However, the Ukrainians, though through to the next round after their two victories, are gunning for a clean slate with Denys Popov as their danger man. Popov has been on target twice, scoring a goal each in his last two outings.

For today, the onus is on Coach Aigbogun and his lads to redeem themselves by putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians who have been disappointed by the team’s failings in Poland so far.

Hope of a good outing in this evening encounter is built around Aigbogun’s declaration that they have learned from their mistakes.

The Coach claims that the Flying Eagles’ game plan was disrupted against the USA due to the early goals conceded in both halves of the tie played in Bielsko-Biala Stadium.

Aigbogun said; “I will say that the early goal we conceded unsettled our players and they were not able to stick to the game-plan that was earmarked for them”

“We were not at our best but we won’t allow this to dampen our morale because the ultimate is to qualify for the next round. We apologise for the defeat but we are assuring Nigerians that they shall see an improved team against Ukraine.

“The boys were not happy with their performance and they were all distraught after the game. They have been told what they must improve on. It was not that they were totally poor against but the goals they scored against us had a telling effect on them and they were unable to recover.”

Tonight encounter kicks-off at 19:30 pm (West African Time) with the gates opening at midday for fans to buy their tickets.

As usual, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament has lined up activities to spice the day. These include: the locker room experience, photo booths and a pre-match music extravaganza.

Though still occupying the second spot on the Group D table with three points from two games, the Flying Eagles are behind Ukraine who won their two opening matches against USA and Qatar.

The United States, though with same three points as Nigeria, are placed third on goals aggregate while Qatar stay bottom without any point so far. – With agency reports