Former Nigeria international, Friday Ekpo, has said the Nigeria U-20 team have what it takes to defeat the Ghana U-20 team when they meet on Wednesday in one of the semi-final matches at the African Youth Championship in Senegal on Wednesday.
The Flying Eagles have had it tough against the Black Satellites, losing on four occasions at different stages of the competition – 2-1 in 1985, 1-0 in 1993, 1-0 in 1999 and 4-1 in 2001—while beating them only once – a 2-0 win in 2011.
Nigeria, however, won one and drew another in two friendlies between the two sides earlier this year in Ghana.
But Ekpo, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday, said history does not always matter in football adding that there is no team that cannot be beaten.
“Congratulations to the team for making the 2015 World Cup. The pressure on them should have reduced with the qualification,†the former Abiola Babes midfielder said.
“Ghana is a beatable team as is Nigeria. They only need to get their tactics right and the players should also play to instructions.
“There is no unbeatable team and history at times does not play football. So they should focus on the task at hand and get the job done.
“They should focus on what they need to achieve because that will help them even when they are a goal down in the match. Individual moment s of decision making also will count in the match.â€
Ekpo also praised Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, for the courage he had to call up new players into the team.
Amokachi had called up Jude Ighalo and a few other players for the friendly matches against Bolivia and South Africa in Uyo and Nelspruit next week.
He said, “The list released by Amokachi and co is a good one. We need to give players a chance in friendly matches so that they won’t have the cause to say they weren’t invited.
“Once a player is doing well at his club, he should be tested in a friendly match and see what he can bring to the team.
“The players there are on top of their games presently and I commend Amokachi for the decision to also call up new players as well as bringing back performing regulars.â€
Source: The Punch