U-23 AFCON final: Algeria promise Nigeria a different game

U-23 AFCON final: Algeria promise Nigeria a different game

Saturday, December 12, 2015 11:10 am


*Kick-off time: 8pm Nigerian time. Senegal, South Africa  third place match begins 5pm

Pierre-Andre Schurman, Algerian coach

Pierre-Andre Schurman, Algerian coach

Algerian Swiss coach, Pierre-Andre Schurman said Nigeria’s Dream Team VI will witness a different game from their Algerian counterparts when  they meet this evening for the final of the African U-23 Nations Cup at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal.

It will be a rematch for the two teams having met in the last group stage of the tournament. The two teams by qualifying for the final have already picked two out of the three Rio Olympic tickets available for Africa.

“The final will never be the same (like the meeting at the group phase). It is a different game and we will have a different philosophy because it is an important game for the two coaches,” Schurman told cafonline.com

Algerians U-23 jubillate after winning Olympic ticket

Algeria U-23 jubilate after winning Olympic ticket

“The difference will be the goals scored and once you have an opportunity, you have to score.”

“Our mission was to qualify for the Olympic Games and it is done. I congratulate my players and staff on that. Our qualification is historic in the sense that it has been 35-years since Algeria last qualified for the Olympic Games.

“It was worth waiting and for a coach from a country like Switzerland, it is quiet weird.

“We will focus on our strategy. Every coach would like to go offensive but the basic is defence. When you are building a house, you need a strong foundation to support it.”

Samson Siasia: eye on the cup

Samson Siasia: eye on the cup

Nigeria’s head coach, Samson Siasia has also been talking to cafonline.com, vowing to win the cup, in addition to  the Rio Olympic ticket, already in the bag.

“We’re very happy to be in the final. It has been a long journey with some ups and downs but it feels good to be in the final. We know our opponents (Algeria) very well after playing them (at the group phase) and seeing their matches.

“The objective was to qualify for the Olympics which we achieved against Senegal. Now, we’ve set another objective, which is to win because we want to win the tournament for our people back home in Nigeria.

Siasia's Dream Team VI

Siasia’s Dream Team VI

“The players worked hard to get to Rio de Janeiro because they want to make the country proud. It doesn’t matter whether they have received match bonuses or not, what is important is to play and win for Nigeria.

” Victor Osimhen had a good outing against Senegal which is giving me problems ahead of the final. I think he will play but I cannot confirm if he will start.”

 

 


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