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...
Uefa Chief Says Season Can Still Be Saved...
Del Potro beats Federer in Indian Wells thriller...
Champions Inter Held At Winless Sampdoria
Eguma Reveals Rivers United’s Success Secret Against Nasarawa...
FIBA okays the use of hijab
Dramatic Late Win Takes Inter into Champions League...

Chelsea’s Maresca says rotation unavoidable
Joshua makes weight for €100m Paul fight
Osimhen, Iwobi pay tributes to Troost-Ekong
Amorim defends his use of midfielder Mainoo
'Always in my mind to start' - Slot on Salah
Man City won't take risk on 'suffering' Rodri's return
Arsenal's Mosquera could be out for at least six weeks
Iran to attend World Cup draw after boycott threat
Alexander-Arnold off injured in comfortable Real Madrid win
A shadow of his imperious self - Van Dijk fights decline
Newcastle want to be 'top club in world' by 2030
Trump and Infantino - too close for comfort?
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,388 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,626 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,564 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,205 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,178 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,093 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,932 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,521 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,656 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,214 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,605 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,078 views)