AFCON U17: Morocco Can Beat Physical and Athletic Eaglets, Says Chiba

AFCON U17: Morocco Can Beat Physical and Athletic Eaglets, Says Chiba

Alfred Kadiri

Morocco’s head coach Said Chiba says his Atlas Cubs can edge Nigeria's Golden Eaglets despite them being a physical and athletic side, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Group B top-of-the-table clash is expected to be explosive, as fans around Africa will expect the best in today's game at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine.

Chiba, a former Moroccan international said on Tuesday.

“It will be a very difficult game and so will all the matches in this group. I watched Nigeria and it is a team that is very strong physically and quick on the offensive. We have to prepare and play them differently from the match against South Africa. We will try to be more organized."

He added; “We have a lot of mutual respect with Nigeria and they have a really strong team. We will try to do better and balance our way of play to win this match. The target remains to get to the next round and this match will be key.”

Goalkeeper Hamza Jlid meanwhile says as players, they know their work is cut out and need to step up to ensure they clinch victory.

“We will give our best and try to battle for a win. We saw Nigeria in their match and we know it will be tough to beat them. But as players, we are ready,” Jlid noted.

Meanwhile, coach Chiba says they have worked to polish some of the weak areas they picked out against South Africa, especially offensively, to be ready for a tougher Nigerian side.

Morocco leads the group with three points and is ahead of the Golden Eaglets on goal difference, having won 2-0 against South Africa while Nigeria won 1-0 against Zambia.

A draw will see Morocco remain on top of the group and an assured ticket to the next round.