Former Flying Eagles Head Coach, Issa Ladan Bosso has expressed optimism that the present squad is capable of pulling surprises in the WAFU Championship, even as he drums support for the Coach Ali Zubair-led team.

The high-profile Manager of Bayelsa United said that the final team list released has players with World Cup experience and the exposure at that level of preparation.

“It might seem not easy for the fact that defending a trophy is much more difficult than winning it, because all other contestants will come fully and all out with a mindset to offset.

“But the level of preparations and time frame will definitely give us an edge over other countries.

“The determination, commitment, and discipline remain indispensable as we all look forward to celebrating the first victory in our first match.

He appreciated the NFF for the time frame allocated to the team to prepare this time around, adding that the pull of talents in the camp will definitely deliver.

Bosso, who spoke exclusively to the Publisher of Sportspro News, Bayour Issah, believed strongly that the technical crew led by Coach Ali Zubair, Caleb Esu, and Lookman Ijaiya should be focused on victory in all the games and shun distractions.

According to the President of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Laddan Bosso, the players in the team must use the opportunity to make their family and country proud by playing to the instructions of their coaches.

Bosso fervently prayed for the team to succeed and qualify not only for the African Nations Cup, but the U-20 World Cup in Chile.

The Flying Eagles U-20 squad will begin their campaign against Burkina Faso tomorrow, Friday October 19, 2024, the WAFU B qualifying AFCON tourney.