FLYING Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso has praised his team for claiming the bronze medal at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Nigerian side defeated Tunisia 4-0 in Cairo on Friday to finish in third place behind champions Senegal and runners-up The Gambia.
Goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Ahmed Abdullahi were followed by a brace from man of the match Jude Sunday as Bosso’s side recovered from their shock semi-final defeat to The Gambia.
Bosso, who was disappointed with his sides finishing against the Young Scorpions, outlined the difference in the two matches.
“We’re back in a better mood than after the semi-final match so we want to thank everyone that has been behind us,” Bosso sai.
“The difference between the third-place match and that of the semi-finals against The Gambia is just the finishing.
“Tunisia kept the ball more but they have loopholes in their defence line so we played the ball behind them to cause them problems.”
Sunday, like defender Abel Ogwuche, won the man of the match award on his first start of the tournament, and Bosso says he believes in giving his whole squad playing time.
“The man of the match Jude Sunday, was coming off the bench in the previous matches and he started this one and made the difference,” the veteran coach noted.
“So if you get an opportunity you go and express yourself.
“Coaching at U-20s level you’re a developmental coach who develops players so there’s no moral justification for me to carry 21 players and play six matches with some players not playing in the tournament.”
Nigeria, Tunisia, The Gambia and Senegal all qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May and June as rewards for reaching the U-20 AFCON semi-finals.
