Coach John Obuh has promised the Flying Eagles will be at next year’s AYC in Algeria after they drew 1-1 with South Africa in Nelspruit.
The Flying Eagles are the defending African champions having won the 2011 competition in South Africa and they maintained an unbeaten record in the qualifying tournament for the 2013 edition after they fought back from a goal down to tie with a good and spirited Amajita of South Africa.
The return leg match will be played on Sunday, October 7, in Ilorin with the overall winners advancing to the eight-nation AYC in Algeria in March.
“It won’t be an easy game in Ilorin, but we will qualify,” declared Obuh.
“I’m okay with the draw in South Africa as well as the overall performance of the team. We gave away the ball rather easily at the beginning but we later settled down and took the game to them.”
Six-time African champions Nigeria will be the favourites to beat their South African counterparts in Ilorin, but Obuh warned that playing in front of the home fans would not count for much against a good team.
“These days there isn’t such a thing as home advantage because a good team can play anywhere and win. Football has changed and so we can’t relax to ensure we finish off the job in Ilorin.”
Amajita coach Solly Luvhengo said after the draw at the magnificent Mbombela Stadium that they were up against a very good Nigerian team, but will still hope to get a result on the road to reach Algeria 2013.
“We played against a very good side, who showed they are the defending African champions,” Luvhengo remarked.
“We had a chance to score at least two goals early in the game, we put them under pressure, but could not really hurt them.
“However, Nigeria came back at us, we took the pressure, but I was disappointed we let in a goal even though at that moment Nigeria deserved a goal.
“The return leg in Nigeria will be very difficult, but we will fight there. They are a good team but we will fight them. We just need to score in Nigeria and the pressure will be back on Nigeria. That is our target.”
The South Africans will play on an unfamiliar astro turf pitch, but the coach insisted it will enhance and not affect their passing game.
“It’s very good that we are playing on such a pitch, at least it won’t be bumpy pitch,” he reasoned.