Lusaka, Zambia, March 24: Zambia Under -23 national team soccer Coach, Fighton Simukonda says his opponents Nigeria in All Africa Games final qualifier should not be underestimated though his side clinched a 0-0 draw in the first leg match in Abuja last Sunday.
Simukonda says his side has its work cut out to if it has to get the 2015 All-Africa Games Congo-Brazzaville football tournament finals slot and this is the task he will work on in the coming days.
“We have to go home and work, the Nigerian team is a good team and they played well, we also played well, in football if you don’t use your chances it is bye bye,” says Simukonda.
Simukonda says his side has its work cut out to if it has to get the 2015 All-Africa Games Congo-Brazzaville football tournament finals slot and this is the task he will work on in the coming days.
“We have to go home and work, the Nigerian team is a good team and they played well, we also played well, in football if you don’t use your chances it is bye bye,” says Simukonda.
The Nigerians should blame themselves for not utilising their home ground advantage; they dominated ball possession and created plenty of scoring opportunities but were atrocious in finishing.
Oghenekaro Etebo and Junior Ajayi would have made a difference for the Junior Super Eagles had they put to use the clear-cut scoring opportunities that came their way.
Meanwhile, last Sunday’s goalless deadlock has sent out tremors of concern in Nigerian soccer fraternity with the local media declaring that the return leg will not be a stroll in the park for the Dream team and its mentor Samson Siasia.
“The result presents a challenge to seriously test Siasia’s credentials when both teams meet in the return leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday, April 4,” writes Kazeem Busari of the Punch.
But Siasia is adamant and is not prepared to wave a white flag at the moment despite the tough work that awaits his side in Ndola.
He argues that his team has a lot to play for and can pull off a result there as it will just need small things to patch up here and there.
“The fact that we did not score does not mean this is a bad team. We only have to improve in our finishing.
“If they [Zambia] could come here and get a draw. We could go there and beat them 2-0.We are not going to relent; we will give our best in the second leg,” declares Siasia.
Oghenekaro Etebo and Junior Ajayi would have made a difference for the Junior Super Eagles had they put to use the clear-cut scoring opportunities that came their way.
Meanwhile, last Sunday’s goalless deadlock has sent out tremors of concern in Nigerian soccer fraternity with the local media declaring that the return leg will not be a stroll in the park for the Dream team and its mentor Samson Siasia.
“The result presents a challenge to seriously test Siasia’s credentials when both teams meet in the return leg at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday, April 4,” writes Kazeem Busari of the Punch.
But Siasia is adamant and is not prepared to wave a white flag at the moment despite the tough work that awaits his side in Ndola.
He argues that his team has a lot to play for and can pull off a result there as it will just need small things to patch up here and there.
“The fact that we did not score does not mean this is a bad team. We only have to improve in our finishing.
“If they [Zambia] could come here and get a draw. We could go there and beat them 2-0.We are not going to relent; we will give our best in the second leg,” declares Siasia.
By: Joel Chirwa
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