Ex-Flying Eagles Striker Warns Aigbogun's Team Of Tricky Opener Vs Qatar; Scared of Ukraine
Published: May 24, 2019
Former Flying Eagles striker Eddy Dombraye has a word of caution for the Nigerian U-20 national team as they face off against Qatar in their opening game of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup on Friday evening.
Dombraye was part of the Flying Eagles side that represented Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship which Nigeria hosted but were eliminated at the quarterfinals stage by Mali after a 3-1 defeat to the West Africans that featured midfielder Seydou Keita that went on to play for Barcelona.
"I think opening games are very tricky and difficult especially when you don't know your opponents very well," stated the onetime Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Bendel Insurance player,'' said Dombraye to allnigeriasoccer.com.
"My advice to the team is to take it one game at a time,win the first game and it will give the team more confidence. I strongly believe the coach and the boys will qualify from the group.''
However Dombraye who also played professional club football in Poland venue of this year's tournament for LKS Lodz revealed the identity of the Group D opponents that gives him a worry.
"I'm scared of the Ukrainian team. More than 12 of them have played together since European under 16 level,so they have some understanding and besides they have nothing to lose playing against Nigeria.
" This is because we are considered better than them and that's what am scared about.
"Lastly the NFF should make sure that these so called football agents should let the boys concentrate during their World Cup campaign. They played some good friendly games while in Germany and hopefully they will have a good tournament," Dombraye concluded.
The Qatar versus Nigeria clash kicks off at 5pm Nigerian time.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Photo Credit : thenff.com
Dombraye was part of the Flying Eagles side that represented Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship which Nigeria hosted but were eliminated at the quarterfinals stage by Mali after a 3-1 defeat to the West Africans that featured midfielder Seydou Keita that went on to play for Barcelona.
"I think opening games are very tricky and difficult especially when you don't know your opponents very well," stated the onetime Iwuanyanwu Nationale and Bendel Insurance player,'' said Dombraye to allnigeriasoccer.com.
"My advice to the team is to take it one game at a time,win the first game and it will give the team more confidence. I strongly believe the coach and the boys will qualify from the group.''
However Dombraye who also played professional club football in Poland venue of this year's tournament for LKS Lodz revealed the identity of the Group D opponents that gives him a worry.
"I'm scared of the Ukrainian team. More than 12 of them have played together since European under 16 level,so they have some understanding and besides they have nothing to lose playing against Nigeria.
" This is because we are considered better than them and that's what am scared about.
"Lastly the NFF should make sure that these so called football agents should let the boys concentrate during their World Cup campaign. They played some good friendly games while in Germany and hopefully they will have a good tournament," Dombraye concluded.
The Qatar versus Nigeria clash kicks off at 5pm Nigerian time.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Photo Credit : thenff.com
Latest News
- Arsenal's Junaid cleared to play in England's historic U17 Euro final v Spain after missing back-to-back games
- English-German-Nigerian fullback returns to Southampton but ineligible to face Leeds in billion-naira game
- 'Participated in 50 percent of the matches'- Napoli president De Laurentiis aims dig at Osimhen
- Southampton-owned striker Paul Onuachu makes decision about his future with Trabzonspor
- 2023 Flying Eagles invitee announces he is leaving Arsenal for good after thirteen years
- Dessers in danger of being offloaded as Rangers set their sights on landing Hearts striker
- Confirmed: Son of former Super Eagles striker offered new deal by Sheffield Wednesday
- Huddersfield release five players of Nigerian descent including forward named in 2023 AFCON squad
- Ajax insider rules out Premier League-linked striker Akpom staying at Dutch giants
- Euro 2024: Switzerland could cap-tie Salzburg's quad-national CB; two other 'Nigerians' in provisional squad
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football