Following Nigeria U20 team qualification for next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations, Enyimba’s Wasiu Alalade looks back on the successful qualifying series.
Prior to the final stage, the Flying Eagles squeezed past Guinea-Bissau on a 3-2 aggregate win before a 6-1 triumph over Mauritania after a 5-0 second leg demolition at the Agege Stadium.
The 19-year-old played an outstanding role in the qualifiers, having scored three goals in four matches, including the opener in Saturday’s bashing of the west African.
Having inspired Paul Aigbogun’s men to their 17th continent’s youth football event, the former Kwara United man is delighted to represent the country at the U20 level.
“I feel very honoured and happy to represent my country, especially at this youth level," Alalade told Goal.
"It has been an amazing experience for me and delighted to help my country qualify for the African U20 Cup of Nations.
“Our coaches really gave us a lot of pep talks and we also motivated ourselves because it was a big chance for us and our careers.
“We were in terrific form from the start of the qualifier to the end. We really worked hard because our aim and objective during the games were to win and qualify.
“Guinea Bissau and Mauritania were good sides because they remove big countries in the qualifiers. They gave us a tough time at home and away but we proved that we were the better side.”
