Coach Nduka Ugbade has looked beyond the group stage of the U-17 African Cup of Nations as he expects his team to compete and not just participate at the tournament, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Chief coach of the Golden Eaglets while reacting to the AFCON U-17 tournament draw held on Wednesday acknwoledged the toughness of the group which has South Africa, Zambia, Morocco and Nigeria.
Ugbade described each team based on their pedigrees stating that they all strong in their own rights.
"It's quiet interesting that it is like this now because the die has been cast and there is no going back, he said to the Media Officer of the Nigeria U-17 team. Morocco is a team that is known from North Africa and the North African football is known to me very very well and considering what they have just done in the world cup that we all in Africa are proud off, I think the U-17 will be clearly motivated and in recent time the they have been playing some friendly matches as well in preparation for this competition.
Then again, the issue of South African football that has become a beautiful footballing nation the one too is something that is suppose to get us worried a bit . Zambia that we have always known for good footballing. The three Nations are from the high altitude so they will have enough strength, enough speed , enough strength and power to compete."
The ex Nigeria international discloses that as five times winners of the competition, the team will be seeking to get to the semi finals and take it up from there.
He added that his team will not participating but competing with the mindset to be triumph at the end of the tournament.
"We will not be participating we will be competing and in our competition or competitiveness we will join our contenders because we are already a strong nation that is known to have won the trophy on several occasions and I don't think that this will be the difference. Then like I said to you before if you are going to a competition and you don't have fear then you are not prepared. We have fear, but not that will cripple us, it is that that will create an unbelievable performance when we have the opportunity to face any of the teams in the competition."
Uche Dozie