Bosso namechecks Manchester United as he defends Flying Eagles' toothless attack

The Flying Eagles were lacking a natural goalscorer at the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which almost cost them dearly during the competition in Egypt. 

In their first five games of the AFCON, the Ladan Bosso-led side could only score four goals, one of which was an own goal netted by Ibrahim Juma in the quarterfinals. 

The issues in attack are still there ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup, considering the fact that the Flying Eagles struggled to score goals during their preparatory games with most of their goals netted in the second half against weak opponents. 

Statistically speaking, the inclusion of Umeh Emmanuel in the 21-man squad heading to Argentina won't solve the problem as the Botev Plovdiv center forward has managed just one goal in his entire professional career, leaving more questions than answers on the make-up of Bosso's squad and his scouting methods. 

Bosso namechecked Premier League side Manchester United as he was questioned about his side's toothless attack. 

Two days ago, the Seagulls earned a 1-0 win over the Red Devils with Alexis MacAllister netting a late winner in the ninth minute of second half stoppage time.

"In the first place what can you say about Manchester United's match yesterday, added time they lost, so the last one second in football can change the fortune of the team, can change the fortune of the players, can change the fortune of the country at large," Bosso stated. 

"Goalscoring is all about working towards it, forget about the timing when the goal comes in. The most important thing a lot of stakeholders said our strikers did not score in Egypt but yet we don't train only the strikers to score goals, anybody can score. 

"The strikers are there to torment the opponents defence to unsettle them, and when you unsettle them any other person can score."

At the U20 AFCON, Senegal and Gambia who both contested this year's final scored more goals than the Flying Eagles - something Bosso is not aware of. 

"Remember Egypt out of six matches, we scored eight goals, conceded only two, and with that we were the second highest scoring team. 

"We have refined attackers in our team now, meaning we should expect a better performance than what we saw in Egypt," Bosso added. 
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com