U20 AFCON QUALIFIERS: Will Flying Eagles ring changes to stay alive?

Will coach Aliyu Zubairu ring several changes for the Flying Eagles to get the result they desperately need to advance to the knockout rounds of the WAFU B U20 AFCON qualifiers in Togo?

On Friday, the Flying Eagles were very disappointing in a 1-0 opening day loss to an average Young Stallions of Burkina Faso, who literally overpowered the defending champions.

The Nigerian strike force led by Arierhi Kparobo from Beyond Limits Academy along with wingers Bidemi Amole and Clinton Jephta did not threaten the Burkina Faso defence.

Substitute Musa Akinfenwa showed a lot more drive when he came on in the second half for the anonymous Enyimba forward Jephta, who was selected ahead of him.

In midfield, Nasiru Salihu, who just a few months ago was Man of the Match with two goals for El Kanemi Warriors in the Federation Cup final, and Croatia-based Israel Ayuma were equally missing in action.

The options in the middle include Divine Oliseh and Suleyman Alabi, who were later introduced against Burkina Faso, as well as late call-up Sabiu Ibrahim.

Tomorrow afternoon, Burkina Faso can do the Flying Eagles a big favour by beating Cote d’Ivoire in a second Group B match.

That would mean that the Flying Eagles final group game against the Ivorians Thursday will be the ultimate cup final with the winners also advancing to the semifinals.

A team official told SCORENigeria: “It’s for the boys to come out to play. It is their one chance to redeem themselves.”