Ugbade hails Dokunmu quality, two others after win over South Africa

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria Head Coach Nduka Ugbade has hailed the quality of Nigeria-blood Micheal Dokunmu and two other players after his teams win over South Africa.

Nigeria and South Africa faced off in the final group B match of the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Algeria on Saturday May 6.

Ugbade`s boys battled to a 3-2 win over the South Africans who paraded teenager Micheal Dokunmu who has Nigerian roots.

Dokunmu was born in South Africa to Nigerian parents on April 9, 2006 and is eligible to represent both countries at full International level.

Speaking after the victory which secured automatic qualification to the last-8 for Nigeria`s Eaglets, Ugbade said of Dokunmu, Mabena and Mkhawana.

“It was a really tough match because South Africa is a really good team and they gave us a tough time.

“They have three players that are really good; Mabena (Siyabonga), Mkhawana (Vicky) and Dokunmu (Michael).

“They are very talented players and I was honestly scared of them at first.” Ugbade concluded.

Dokunmu, Maabena and Mkhawana have been pillars of Duncan Crowie`s South African team in Algeria. In their only victory of the group stage, Vicky Mkhawana and Micheal Dokunmu scored to inspire a 3-2 win over Zambia on matchday two.

Nigeria and South Africa are through to the last-8, the latter will face the second placed team from Group C.

Burkina Faso face Cameroon in the final group C game on Sunday to determine who will play the Eaglets in Thursday`s quarterfinals at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers.