'We want to win the game' - Chelsea's Nigerian coach ahead of U18 national final against Man Utd 

Chelsea U18 manager Hassan Sulaiman is looking forward to Tuesday evening's U18 Premier League national final against Manchester United.

The young Blues, winners of the U18 Premier League South, will take on northern section champions Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. 

As Chelsea and Manchester United are not contenders for a top-four finish in the Premier League, their upcoming clash offers them a lifeline. 

The victorious team will secure qualification for the UEFA Youth League through the domestic champions path. 

Manchester United were impressive in the regular season, winning twenty out of twenty-four games, while Chelsea clinched first place in the southern section after winning seventeen games and drawing three. 

Sulaiman handed game time to several players of Nigerian descent in the regular season, including defenders Landon Emenalo, Somto Boniface, Saheed Olagunju, Richard Olise and Olutayo Subuloye, and forwards Tyrique George, Rio Ngumoha and Chinonso Chibueze.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Sulaiman said: "It is going to be an exciting occasion, and I know the boys will be keen and eager to impress. But for us, the game plan will remain the same - we want to win the game."

He added: "We go into this game knowing it will be a tough fixture, but the boys have done extremely well regulating their emotions and showing their mature mentality as they go into every game focused.

"We will approach this game with determination and positivity."

Tariq Uwakwe was in the Chelsea side that defeated Manchester United to win the U18 Premier League national title in May 2018.

Igho Kingsley

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