By Amosu Adeboye, LAGOS
The Flying Eagles are confident they will go past Mali today to reach Sunday’s U20 AFCON final in Niamey.
Both teams have qualified for the U20 World Cup in Poland in May and are now gunning for the top prize at the U20 AFCON in Niger.
The Nigeria U20s were victorious when both teams clashed at the U20 WAFU Cup in Togo in December after they won on penalties as scores were tied on 1-1 after regulation time.
The Flying Eagles, who won Group A, have said they hope to also win today to stay on track for an eighth U20 AFCON crown.
“Matches between Nigeria and Mali are always tough and I do not think this one will be any different,” said defender Valentine Uzornwafor.
“The pressure is on both sides, but I believe in the end we will scale through.”
“We hope to make Nigeria proud today,” added skipper Ikouwem Udoh.
“We have the quality and the drive to do this.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have approved for the Flying Eagles to wear black armbands in tribute to departed NFF chieftain Taiwo Ogunjobi.
Kick-off time is 4.30pm in Nigeria.
