A former youth and senior international midfield battler, Peter Nieketien has tipped Nigeria’s junior national team, Flying Eagles, to rain goals on Norway in their first match at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Sports247 reports that, as Aliyu Zubairu gets ready to line his wards out against the Scandinavians at 9pm this Monday inside Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Chile, Nieketien declared that he believes the coach must have found the best strategy that would see his players get the goals they need for victory.
Read Also: NFF’s Top Shots Floored By Barrister Chris Green Over FIFA’s Delay In Announcing Punishment For South Africa
While many fans were worried about a lack of goal scoring in the Flying Eagles’ early build-up games, a 3-1 spanking of Australia in their last match during the week appeared to have changed the narrative, and Nieketien is staying positive for a better show against Norway.
The member of Nigeria’s bronze medal-winning squad at Saudi ’89 World Youth Championship added that Zubairu’s players should take the bull by the horn in the race for goals, as they are the main actors on whose shoulders rests the task of ensuring victory for Nigeria in their opening group fixture.
Nieketien affirmed, “It is the duty of the coach to find a strategy on how the players can keep scoring. We should also understand that all these boys play for clubsides. So, the pressure should not be on the coach alone.”
He concluded with a verdict that all players in the national team should have a strong desire to justify donning the nation’s jersey, and pointed out that the only way to do it is by working hard to win every match.
“If players are willing and committed in knowing what they want when they wear the green-and-white jersey, they are supposed to go the extra mile for their country.
“At the end of the day, goal scoring is a thing you must work hard to achieve, and I believe this team can do it. Let’s just pray for them and wish them well,” Nieketien submitted.
Sports247 gathered further that the Flying Eagles’ next game at the same venue will be against Saudi Arabia on Friday; after which they will end group play versus Colombia next Monday, October 6th.
