Sports
FIFA U-20 WWC: Coach Dedevbo confident of bouncing back
Coach of the Nigerian U-20 women team, Peter Dedevbo, is confident that his girls will bounce back from their 6-0 defeat to Japan last Sunday.
He is also confident that they will pick the maximum points from the remaining two matches in the group stage of the ongoing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
He charged the Falconets to let go their last defeat and focus on the challenge Canada and Spain will offer.
“We are down but not out, and this is the time for us to fight till the end of the competition. It would be fool–hardy for us to start feeling sorry for ourselves because it will affect our focus for the remaining games in the tournament, ” Dedevbo states.
“I must acknowledge the fact that the Japanese side was good, even though I didn’t envisage the goal margin. The outcome means that we will return to the trenches and re-strategize.”
Meanwhile, Falconets defender, Glory Ogbonna, has said all hope is not lost for the team.
Read also: Japan thrashes Falconets 6-0 at U-20 WWC
“Collectively, as a team, we have accepted the fact that we started badly against Japan, but it doesn’t mean that we have given up because all hope is not lost, ” she says.
“I believe that the reason for Sunday’s defeat was a clarion call for us as a team to wake up to the harsh realities on ground. If we had won or drawn that game, apparently, the whole team would feel that we have arrived.
“Canada is a must-win for us and it is not negotiable. We have learnt our lessons in a bitter and humiliating way. I want to promise all Nigerians that we must redeem our image and march on in this tournament.”
Nigeria will face Canada in their second Group B match on Wednesday at the Bava Park Stadium. Both countries are at the bottom of the table with no point.
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