By Daily Sports on November 15, 2019
Nigeria U23 captain Okechukwu Azubuike has tagged Friday’s encounter against South Africa as “a must-win game”.
Imama Amapakabo’s side needs to beat Amaglug-glug to boost their hopes of qualifying for the semi-final of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations.
The Olympic Eagles are placed second in Group B, with a point behind the South Africans, after picking up their first win against Zambia on Tuesday.
“It is a must-win for us, we know the importance of the game and we’ve been working hard in training,” Azubuike said in their press conference in Egypt.
“Hopefully, tomorrow we are going to come out in our best and then make sure we win the game.”
Azubuike joined the Olympic Eagles late on Monday after Istanbul Basaksehir held him back for their games in the Turkish Super Lig.
After missing the team’s 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast, the 22-year-old played a crucial role in helping Nigeria secure a 3-1 comeback win over the Chipolopolo.
Azubuike doesn’t think his presence in Egypt spurred the country to their first win but attributed the result to the team’s effort.
“I wouldn’t say my presence did a lot because we have good players even without me, we can do something,” he added.
“I have been in this position before so I had to speak to the boys and we came out to play our best because the country expects that from us.
“Going forward, I think with or without me, everybody is important and we can win every game if we want to win and we work very hard.” (Goal)
•PHOTO: Okechukwu Azubuike
Source Daily Sports
Posted November 15, 2019
You may also like...
Sports Minister Inspects Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja...
EPL: Nuno dedicates Forest win to Awoniyi after...
Afcon 2017: Nations Cup kicks off today
Xenophobia Hits South African Football; Zambia Cancels Friendly...
Nigerians To Watch In Action This Weekend In...
Chukwu Commends Efforts by Dare, Amaju on Super...

Mikel backs Eagles to win AFCON
Why Mbappe had £1.3m ethics bonus in PSG contract
Nigeria begins their AFCON campaign with a hard-fought victory over Tanzania
Man City in advanced talks with Bournemouth's Semenyo
Eagles not one man team — Osimhen
Nigerian stars battle for 11th Elicris Table Tennis Cup
Troost-Ekong receives national honour certificate from Tinubu
Pillars return to Kano after banishment
Beating Nigeria would feel like winning AFCON – Tanzania coach
Peter Odili orders 50% slash in PAMO Teaching Hospital in PH as over 800 receive free medicals to give back to society
Davido headlines AFCON opening ceremony
Numbers behind Nigeria’s fourth AFCON title pursuit
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,426 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,688 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,609 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,265 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,217 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,132 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,976 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,552 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,712 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,249 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,644 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,116 views)