‘Nigeria ready to take Ghana’s place’

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari,has stated that Nigeria would reclaim the African Youth Championship after Cup holders Ghana made an early exit from the tournament in South Africa.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defeated the Junior Eagles of Mali 2-0 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto in the first semi final of the competition and now play the final on Sunday at the same venue.

The Flying Eagles have already booked a place in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup finals slated for Colombia later in the year, and have been drawn in Group B against Croatia, Saudi Arabia and Guatemala.

“We have a team that has ambition and continues to improve with every game. I am happy that we have qualified for the final but the ultimate is the trophy.
“You know, the Ghanaians were the champions of Africa, and they are our brothers. So, we have to do well to keep the trophy in West Africa”, said Maigari.

Speaking further, the NFF President was of the opinion that the Nigeria U-20 is also capable of replacing the Ghanaian side at the top of the global game.

“Nigeria and Ghana have remained big names in youth football in the word over the decades. Nigeria have won the U-17 title three times, in 1985, 1993 and 2007.

Ghana won in 1991 and 1995. Nigeria have been in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005. Ghana also played in the final in 1993 and 2001 before winning in 2009 in Egypt.

“So, you can see that it is time for Nigeria to win the U-20 World Cup. And though I would not say the draw was easy for us, we would strive to prepare the team very well for the challenge of the World Cup in Colombia”.

Speaking after goals by Uche Nwofor and Stanley Okoro sent Nigeria into the championship match, Maigari said the Flying Eagles are not only capable fo taking the place of Ghana as African champions, but would also replace the Black Satellites as champions of the world.

The NFF President was of the opinion that the Nigeria's Flying Eagles is also capable of replacing the Ghanaian side at the top of the global game.

Nigeria play its opening match of the FIFA World Cup against Guatemala on 31st July in Armenia, and take on Croatia in the same venue on 3rd August before moving to Pereira to tackle Saudi Arabia three days later.