LIVE: Algeria vs Senegal | CAF U23 Championship
The first ever CAF in U-23 Championship gets underway on Saturday 26th November in Tangiers, Morocco with Nigeria taking on hosts Morocco in group A. The other two teams in the group , Algeria and Senegal clash after the opener at the same venue, Grand Stade de Tangiers.
The Moroccan coach lamented the failure to have a full squad at his disposal but admitted this was a problem faced by all teams at this tournament, “Yes of course the European based players would have been an added advantage and given me more options but l will have to make do with the squad l have.” I would like us to absorb the pressure and huge expectations on us and settle into football we are capable of playing. If we can strike this balance l am sure we the passionate support we have here in Tangiers we can have a great tournament but its all about handling the pressure in the right way. ” said Verbeek.
Nigeria’s Uder-23 coach Austin Eguavoen was also playing down his team’s chances of victory and pointed to added pressure on his team to succeed due to an unusual underperformance by Nigeria teams at major competitions recently.
“Yes were are under pressure and as coach I’m under a lot of pressure but I have been under pressure before and I’ve been able to deal with it the main difference this time round though is that is this is the only chance for Nigeria to redeem itself on football scene and all eyes are on us to do well and this makes it a little more difficult for the boys and l.” said Eguavoen
