F/Eagles attackers must bite harder, say Nwosu, Ukaegbu

On Friday, having been reduced to ten men in the first half of the  match, the junior Eagles in the second half threw in everything into the game but were unable to get the much needed equalizer as the attackers created clear chances but failed to convert any. Speaking to Trustsports moments after the encounter, […]

On Friday, having been reduced to ten men in the first half of the  match, the junior Eagles in the second half threw in everything into the game but were unable to get the much needed equalizer as the attackers created clear chances but failed to convert any.

Speaking to Trustsports moments after the encounter, ex-international and former dream IV assistant coach, Henry Nwosu and member of the Chile 1987 Flying Eagles, Lawrence Ukaegbu unanimously agreed that if the team is to progress in the championship, the attackers must bite more.

Coach Nwosu said the team should not be written off because of the 0-1 loss as he stated that had it been the goalkeeper Uche Okafor was more careful, he wouldn’t have conceded the goal which eventually cost the Eagles the much needed victory.  

He expressed confidence that the team will progress but said the remaining two group matches must be won by Eagles, if they are serious about staying in contention.

“The goalkeeper was careless and that was why he conceded the goal. Had it been he was a bit more careful, he would have been able to stop the goal because he had stopped even more dangerous shots.

Nwosu maintained that having controlled the game from the beginning to the end, the team proved that it needs just little technical assistance to win the remaining two matches.

“There were defensive lapses which I am sure the handlers of the team also noticed. They must do something to correct them. If the defence gets more organized and the attackers bite more, I don’t see the team leaving the championship prematurely”.

On his part, Chile ’87 member Ukaegbu said although the team played very well, it lacked creative attackers.

He noted that the attackers did a lot of barking at their opponents defence but did not have the creativity to convert some of the chances that came their way in both halves of the match.

“The attackers need to bite more. They shouldn’t only bark but bite as well. If they can bite very well, they would be able to win their remaining matches. I am still optimistic that they will progress from the group” he stated.

Ukaegbu therefore called on Nigerians to be patient with the team as he said coach Siasia whom he described as a good tactician will use the opening match to correct all the defects in the team for better performance in the remaining matches.

He noted that if Nigerians are quick to condemn the players, they will lose confidence in themselves and that would not do the country’s ambition of breaking the U-20 World Cup jinx any good.

“I urge Nigerians to be patient with the team. If we condemn the players they will lose what is left of their confidence. We have to keep supporting them because as footballers that is what they need to get back their confidence”.

In the other group match of the day, tournaments favourites, Spain walloped Tahiti 8-0 to lead the group.

The Flying Eagles next match comes up tomorrow against Spain, while Vanezuela takes on Tahiti.