Nigeria Vs Gambia: U-20 AFCON Semi-final Match Preview
Nigeria will face Gambia in the semi-final of the ongoing Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt. SportsRation presents a preview of the match in Cairo.
MATCH DETAILS
Fixture: Nigeria Vs Gambia
Date: March 6, 2023
Time: 6pm
Venue: Cairo International Stadium
Competition: Africa U-20 Cup of Nations [Semi-final]
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Nigeria and Gambia have met on two occasions at U-20 level. Their first meeting was in the semi-final of the 2007 edition.
The Flying Eagles secured a 1-0 win over Gambia to reach the final.
Both countries met again twelve-years ago in the group stage of the U-20 AFCON in South Africa. Olaweranju Kayode and Ramon Azeez were on the scoresheet as the Eagles dumped Gambia out.
NIGERIA AND GAMBIA AT THE U-20 AFCON PAST/PRESENT
The Flying Eagles are miles ahead of the Gambians as per pedigree and achievements at the U-20 AFCON.
Infact, Nigeria is the most successful team in the tournament history having been crowned champions on seven occasions.
Gambia on their part have never tasted AFCON U-20 glory and the tournament in Egypt is their sixth appearance.
In the present, Gambia has been excellent in Egypt winning all four games to this stage and hold the best defence and attack record at the tournament.
But against a Nigerian team appearing in the U-20 AFCON semi-final for a record extending 15th time, Gambia will have a herculean task to face at the Cairo International Stadium today.
Senegal will face Tunisia in the other semi-final game.
THE MANAGERS SPEAK
” Nigeria is the only team standing between us and the final. We want to be champions, and that can only happen when we beat a champion. ”
– Gambia Head Coach
” We are a committed team, but we must do everything we can to win and reach the final.”
” The most important thing for us in the tournament is that we qualified for the World Cup. Now we will fight to win the title.”
– Nigeria Head Coach Ladan Bosso
SPORTSRATION SAYS
A game between the best in history vs the most in-form side at the 2023 tournament in Egypt will definitely be a tough one to predict.
Both teams have already booked a 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup ticket following their respective quater-final wins over Uganda and South Sudan respectively.
Expect a balanced game with goals at both ends. We see a Nigeria win or draw in regulation time. If it stretches to penalties, anything can happen.
