Lexi Elo with Agency Report
Nigeria U-20 midfielder Akinjide Idowu said having knowledge about other teams in the
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just concluded Super Four tournament ensured his team emerged victorious. The 17-year-old said the victory was a huge boost for them as they intense preparations for the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal.
“It means a lot winning the Super Four in the midst of the best four in the Nigeria Premier League. It is not an easy thing. The team as a whole is extremely excited and I as an individual I’m extremely excited,” Idowu told Goal.
“It is a very great achievement for us, good beginning and great preparation for the upcoming African Youth Championship in Senegal. We have laid a very concrete foundation right from the on-set of our preparation. We’ve hit ourselves on the chest that we are going to make it unbeaten till the end of the 2015 World Cup not only the 2015 AYC. So we the players are determined by the grace of God to achieve it,” he continued.
“It’s possible, we have all it takes – we have the information. The coaches have really equipped us when it comes to the tactical aspect, technical aspect, tricks of the game and physical conditioning, we are extremely okay.”
He promised to remain focused in developing himself, giving his very best for the Flying Eagles and as well meeting the huge demands of his coaches every time.
“Honestly, it has been easy because I have all it takes. The coaches have equipped me, when it comes to the strength aspect, I’ve been equipped. This has been my job for the team and it’s not a difficult task for me. It’s my job iand I have to do it with the best of my knowledge. From this tournament, a lot of people will be expecting a lot from me at 2015 AYC. I just pray God give me the grace and strength to keep growing more on the job which the coaches have put on my shoulders,” he explained to Goal.com.
On his assessment of the Super Four, the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup winner said it was a great preparation for the team going to the African U-20 Championship.
“It was interesting. It is a good preparation for both the four premier league clubs at the upcoming Caf club competitions and for the U23 their upcoming Olympics qualifier and we the African Youth Championship and World Cup. It’s nothing, that we defeated the top clubs. it’s the game of football, anything can happen. Above all, they are coming against what they don’t know. We are playing on information, while they are playing on formation. Its a new style that is been brought to Africa. I hope the rest of the teams emulate that as well. It is going to better and help the Nigeria Premier League and bring out a lot of quality and good players out as well,” he concluded.