U23 AFCON: "We Are Ready For South Africa" - Amapakabo

AFCON U23: We were prepared for the game - Amapakabo

By Sampson Adedeji

The head coach of Nigeria's Dream Team VII Imama Amapakabo has said they were well prepared for the match against Zambia and ready for the last group match against South Africa, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Nigeria defeated Zambia 3-1 in the second group match played at the Al Salam stadium in Cairo on Tuesday to reignite the hope of securing Tokyo 2020 Olympic ticket.

Amapakabo made the statement during a post match conference organised after the game and he also appreciates Zambia team for giving them a good fight.

"We prepared and plan for this game and we also knew only win will keep us in this competition.

"We are glad that our tactical approach today work completely. I have told my players that this is a competition in which all four teams can qualify , so we have South Africa in front of us they have cote d'Ivoire, and both games comes up on Friday and it's an open game .

"I also want to say congratulations to the Zambia coach and his team, we knew this game is going to be an exciting game knowing fully well that they have put together an exciting team for quite time and I knew it was an exciting game for anyone that watch it," he concluded.

South Africa are topping group B table with 4 points, Nigeria edged Ivory Coast to place second with 3 points apiece.

Nigeria will face South Africa on Friday while Zambia take on Cote d'Ivoire, the last group B match will be played simultaneously.

A win for the Nigeria U23 national team will secure a passage to the semifinal of the championship. A draw might not be enough as loss ends their hope of picking Olympic ticket