Golden Eaglets head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere says his team is determined to bounce back from their opening defeat to Niger Republic when they face Côte d’Ivoire in the 2026 WAFU B U-17 Championship.
Nigeria suffered a 2-1 loss to Niger in their first fixture, leaving them with little room for error ahead of Saturday’s crucial encounter with the Ivorians.
Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, played out a draw against Niger and have one point heading into the contest, making the clash a must-win for the Golden Eaglets to keep their hopes alive in the competition.
Speaking to thenff.com, Uwejamomere expressed confidence in his players’ ability to respond positively, insisting that the team remains in good spirits despite the setback.
“We had a setback in the game against Niger Republic, but we are in great spirit to overcome it as we play Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday,” he said.
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The coach acknowledged the pressure surrounding the encounter but revealed that his technical crew had studied the Ivorians and identified their strengths and weaknesses.
“It is a dicey situation. We are calm and reminding the players of how we want to play. We have analysed Côte d’Ivoire, how they play, their strengths and weaknesses.
“There is just a little bit of pressure because it is a must-win game for Nigeria. So, we have to keep the players composed and believing in themselves, knowing that we can get the result we need,” he added.
Uwejamomere also recognised Côte d’Ivoire’s quality but challenged his players to match their opponents’ intensity and determination as they seek victory.
“The Ivorians are a very good side. They can fight, but we also have to fight and show them how much we want the victory. We know what we have to do to beat them. I’m confident,” he concluded.
