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...
Ex-Senegal International Leye Named Standard Liege Coach
NPFL: Insurance Pip Enyimba 1-0 in Benin
NBBF Promises Financial Support For Ailing Onah Deborah...
'Nani' dims the Stars and makes the Sun...
FIFA name Happi, Ambomo to run Cameroon FA...
Barcelona: Lionel Messi Says He Had ‘Very Bad...

Abeokuta set for maiden West African para games
S/E SWAN Commiserates With Rangers Int'l FC Over Passing Media Director, Norbert Okolie
Joshua returned boxing to limelight — Froch
Aruna ousted in Muscat contender opener
NAFA flags off national school league finals
Fearless Energy fuels Africa Knock Out showdown
NRRF unveils 42-man squad for Ghana clash
Nigeria climb to 38th in new FIFA rankings
Nnadozie wins third straight CAF award
Riyadh 2025: Team Nigeria wins gold in wrestling, athletics
VIDEO: ‘My son a big fan of Ronaldo,’ says Trump
Osimhen to miss CAF awards
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,359 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,585 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,527 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,157 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,145 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,066 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,907 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,491 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,614 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,182 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,576 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,053 views)