Salisu Yusuf, head coach of Nigeria’s U23 side, said his boys are ready and capable of reaching this year’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The former Kano Pillars gaffer spoke to the team’s media team ahead of their clash with Guinea’s Olympic squad in a final qualifying fixture, first leg encounter at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Wednesday.
“I am satisfied that we have been able to work hard these past days and are now set for action,” Salisu began.
“The players know that reaching the Africa Cup of Nations presents them a tremendous opportunity to fight hard for a ticket to the Olympics, which is a global tournament.
Salisu is hopeful that the invited foreign players will help his team nick a good win in the Nation’s capital on Wednesday.
“We have invited a number of players from overseas that we believe can help us stake a very strong claim to the ticket, and we will be aiming for a good win on Wednesday.
“The second leg is on neutral ground, but we don’t want to entertain that in our minds. We have the objective of working assiduously to wrap up things in this first leg,” Salisu concluded.
For Wednesday’s encounter in Abuja, CAF has appointed Sabri Mohamed Fadul from Sudan as referee. His compatriots Abdelgabar Mohamed Abdelgabar and Ahmed Subahi will serve as assistant referee 1 and assistant referee 2 respectively, Ring Akech Malong from South Sudan will work as fourth official, while Munkaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be the match commissioner.
The match has been scheduled to kickoff at 4pm(Nigerian time).
Okocha urges Osimhen to join Premier League
Former Super Eagles player, Jay Jay Okocha, has urged Napoli player, Victor Osimhen, to switch to the English Premier League this summer.
Premier League clubs, Chelsea and Manchester United, are currently monitoring the sensational striker with the hope of snapping him up from the Serie A.
Meanwhile, Osimhen had also disclosed his interest to play in the English Premier League.
Speaking with the British Broadcasting Corporation, Okocha said playing in the Premier League would be ideal for Osimhen.
“Well I mean he’s done well, he’s having a great season.
“And I think he duly deserves the praise he’s getting, but the ultimate for him is to play in the Premier League which he has made clear as well,” Okocha said.
Osimhen has scored 21 goals in 23 league appearances for Napoli this season.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
