U23 AFCON: We Are 100% Sure of Olympic Ticket - Imama Assures Nigerians

U23 AFCON: We Are 100% Sure of Olympic Ticket - Imama Assures Nigerians

...Says Olympic Eagles Underrated Ivory Coast

By Niyi Busari

Head coach Nigeria's Olympic Eagles, Imama Amapakabo has assured Nigerians of winning his next and remaining two group B matches to stand a chance of making it to the semifinal of the 2019 U23 African Nations Cup, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Amapakabo said the defending champions, the Nigeria's U23 national team were over confidence and underrated Ivory Coast in their first match which they lost 1-0.

"We didn't get what was expected in the game against Ivory Coast and i think we underrated these guys and they surprised us but for me i think it is the first game and we are going to come back strong.

He however, assured Nigerians that picking the Olympic ticket by winning Nigeria's next two group matches to advance to the semifinal is non-negotiable. The former Rangers International coach added that the quality of the players in the squad will win their next two games.

"It is 100% sure that we gonna make it to Japan and the only thing is that we lost our privilege of winning the first game we need to play every as a defending champions. But now, we have to fight from behind in every game we are playing, for me i think it is possible with the kind of players we have and with just two matches for us to bring in ourselves back into the competition and for the possibility of making it to Japan, i think it's100% possible, the one game we lost is nothing, we have two more games and i think it is a game we must win and there is nothing to exchange with winning in the next two matches.

Imama called for support from Nigeria and urged them not to lose hope in the team.

"I call on Nigerians to give us the support we need, if not for them, we cant be here to play for them and also defend them. All hope is not lost, so, we need them behind us. Without them, it is not possible, they need to continue to support and motivate us ." He concluded

The Nigeria's U23 team who lost 0-1 to Ivory Coast on Saturday will face Zambia on Tuesday in their second match.

Ivory Coast are on top of the group table while South Africa and Zambia are 2nd and 3rd respectively with one point each following their 0-0 draw in their match but Nigeria are in the bottom of the table.