U17 AFCON: Victory Over Zambia Gives Mental Advantage - Ugbade

U17 AFCON: Victory Over Zambia Gives Mental Advantage - Ugbade

Sampson Adedeji

The head coach of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets Nduka Ugbade has said the victory recorded against Zambia gave his team a mental advantage, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Favor Daniel's 77th-minute strike ensured that Nigeria secured a 1-0 win over the Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia in the opening group match on Sunday.

While reacting to the result, Ugbade said it's more of psychology than tactics for the underage team and further shifted his focus to the team's next game against Morocco.

"Most of the time, for young teams, the most important thing is psychology. Not the physique, the tactics, or anything. 

Winning the first game gives us a mental advantage. Psychologically we are better than when we started.

“Of course, we have goals to win, but we have to move forward step by step. 

We focus on the next game and if we win we are in the quarters, and we are at the World Cup,” he concluded. 

Nigeria will face Morocco on Wednesday in the second group match.