The last time I wrote about the Flying Eagles, I remember declaring them as a team that can (potentially) snatch at least Bronze medals in this U-20 world cup in Argentina.
I still stand by that assessment.
Have they set the tournament alight? Nope. Are they playing a jaw dropping, vibrant and expansive brand of football? Absolutely not.
But, all the months the players have spent together (being drilled and honing their approach) coupled with Bosso’s practical and pragmatic methods are yeilding much fruit on grass in far away South America.
The Flying Eagles didn’t particularly delight me against Dominican Republic in their style of play neither they tantalise me against Italy in how they went about their business. But they got the job done by – in Bosso’s words – achieving their objectives with maximum 6 points.
And that is what is most important!
I see Bosso treading a similar path to Nigeria U-17 Women’s coach Bankole Olowookere in last year’s world cup: with an underwhelming brand of football that still produced a podium finish via a disciplined and organised approach.
In Bosso’s first stint as the U-20 coach to the world cup, his Flying Eagles navigated the group stages without conceding a single goal but the came second with 2 wins and 1 draw.
The 55 year old Niger state born tactician is aiming to go one better this time by garnering maximum 9 points from what is a far tougher group this time around.
“We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not under-rate Brazil, we certainly do not fear them.” Said Bosso.
True – this Flying Eagles outfit are proving to be intrepid. The match against Brazil tonight will surely test their mettle.
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