Coach Ugbade Sends Encouraging Message to Nigerians After Golden Eaglets’ Loss Against Burkina Faso

• The Golden Eaglets have crashed out in 2023 Under 17 African Cup of Nations in Algeria
• The Nigerian youngsters were sent out by Burkina Faso, who won 2-1 in the quarter-final
• Nigeria coach Nduka Ugbade explained that his players tried their best in the encounter

Nduka Ugbade, the head coach of the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, has refused to blame his players following their 2-1 defeat against Burkina Faso on May 11 in the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

The loss means that Nigeria's 2023 Under-17 AFCON campaign has ended and the implication is that the Golden Eaglets also won't be going to the World Cup later this year.

Despite the Nigerian team having many chances to score in the first half, they failed to convert, giving their opponents the opportunity to fight back and score two goals.

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Ugbade and his wards fought well in the second half, but they were only able to score one goal as Burkina Faso held on for an incredible win.

According to the reports by Complete Sports and Daily Post, the Golden Eaglets coach explained his players had tried their best but it was simply not enough.

Ugbade absolves his U17 players

"The players are disappointed, of course, because they are young, but we must support them because they need to continue their careers. We should work on their development, because I believe that some of these players will eventually move to the senior national team."

Golden Eaglets lose at AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported how the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria suffered a 2-1 defeat against Burkina Faso in the quarter-final of the 2023 Under-17 AFCON in Algeria on Thursday night, 11 May.

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Going into the encounter, Ugbade and his wards were tipped to reach the semi-final, but Burkina Faso's youngsters were more determined to write their names in gold.

The Golden Eaglets started the match impressively but failed to take their chances, and can only blame themselves for not scoring at least two goals in the opening 20first 20 minutes.