The Nigerian Flying Eagles, the seven-time African Champions, begin their 2023 U20 AFCON campaign with Young Teranga Lions of Senegal Sunday night in Cairo, Egypt.

The Junior Eagles arrived Egypt equipped with an outstanding record of 19 games unbeaten, 86 goals scored and 10 goals conceded, since they finished top of the U-20 AFCON WAFU B qualifying tournament in Niger Republic in May 2022.

“The boys have been motivated, they are in good shape, we have the full support of everyone around us and we’re positive in whatever we do,” Ladan Bosso said.

“We want to be the best and so we have prepared a team that will beat the best.

“We can’t start well and finish badly,” coach Bosso emphasized.

Bosso rated his present team better than the team he led to the second round of the 2007 U-20 World Cup hosted by Canada.

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“This team have more quality than the team to the 2007 World Cup that had players like Brown Ideye and Efe Ambrose,” he remarked.

Senegal will be the first team to encounter the preparedness of the Flying Eagles at the U20 AFCON.

“This is a make or mar match. Senegal will not be easy, but if we get it right, it could even be our easiest match.” Ladan Bosso stressed.

The 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations tournament which begins on Sunday, 19 February, 2023 to 11 March, 2023, will also double as the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2023. The top four teams will qualify for the World Cup.

The 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be hosted by Indonesia, from May 20 to June 11.