U23 AFCON: 'I Am Impressed With Olympics Eagles Performance Despite 0-0 Draw Against Tornadoes' - Amapakabo

U23 AFCON: 'I Am Impressed With Olympics Eagles Draw Against Tornadoes' - Amapakabo

By Niyi Busari

Olympic Eagles head coach Imama Amapakabo has said that he was satisfied and got what he wanted in the Nigeria U23 friendly match against Nigerian National League side, Niger Tornadoes, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

The Nigeria U23 side on Tuesday morning played a 0-0 draw in their warm up at the FIFA Goals Project inside MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Imama stated that the warm up game is just to see how the newly invited players will function adding that the friendly match is not about result but to test each player's ability playing against a team that have stayed and bond together.

Speaking with www.bsnsports.com.ng at the FIFA Goal Project after the match, Imama said:

"This is just an experimental game and nothing serious. Most of the players just came in and just want to see how they will function out of their usual position."

"So far, so good, i am able to see what i wanted and i am impressed with what they are able to put up.

"Most of the foreign based players just came in and we just say that let's welcome them with this kind of game. So, before we leave let's wait and see how best the team shapes out.

The former Rangers International coach revealed that he is expecting the 12 remaining invited foreign players to join the team in Egypt. Imama extended invitation to 15 but three of them, Bashiru Tom-Dele, Kelechi Nwakali and Orji Okonkwo have all reported to camp in Abuja.

"We invited 15 foreign players, hopefully we will have all of them before our first game. To me, this match is not about the result, i am even impressed that the players did well. Most importantly for being able to hold a team that has been together for sometime and were not able to have a shot at goal.

"And we had a couple of chances upfront despite the fact that we did not have the full players to compliment our attack line.

He however said that qualification for the Olympics is their major target in Egypt