 |
| Nigeria U20 women |
After quick strikes from Chinaza Uchendu and Chinwendu Ihezuo helped the Falconets a 2-1 win in Kinshasa, confusion over the choice of venue for the reverse fixture have been put to rest.
Goal learnt that the Nigerian ladies had to endure long deafening moments against their hosts in Kinshasa from shouting of massive home fans, hence desired a crowded venue to overwhelm their visitors.
Last week, Falconets striker Ihezuo confirmed to Goal the rowdy and noisy crowd witnessed in DR Congo, but insists her teammates kept their calm and returned with the maximum points.
"We were under no pressure at all except for the many home fans who attended the game were shouting but we never allowed that to distract us at all.
Our coach told us to remain calm and play our game," Ihezuo said
Though already setting his sight on a final round spot, Falconets' head coach Peter Dedevbo insists his side will not take their Congolese visitors for granted in the reserve fixture at the National Stadium, Abuja.
“I have a philosophy, which is to respect every team and not to fear any, and also that it is never over until it is over. We have won the first leg 2-1; there is still a second leg to play to determine the winner on aggregate," Dedevbo said.
“We have 90 precious minutes to go in this fixture. There will be no heaving of any sigh of relief until after the final whistle on Saturday. We will approach the match as if we lost the first leg," he concluded.
The Nigerian side should they advance past DR Congo on Saturday will take on either South Afica and Zambia, who recorded a 0-0 first leg draw in Johannesburg in the final round of the qualifying series.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the DR Congo delegation will arrive the country's capital on Thursday aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight and will be camping at the Chida Hotel.
0 Comments