AYC CRACKER: WE’RE GOING FOR BROKE – HARUNA, EDILE

Under-20 national team, Flying Eagles’ skipper, Lukman Haruna (Apache) has fired the first war-cry for the squad, as they prepare to battle Les Lionceux of Cameroun in Wednesday’s second semi-final of the African Youth Championship in Kigali, Rwanda.

The AS Monaco of France rising star said Wednesday’s game will be a crunch and declared that the Flying Eagles do not want to be crushed by their eternal boogie team.

Haruna, who also captained most of the players during their days with the under-17 squad, Golden Eaglets, en route to winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea, admitted that it will be a tough encounter, but espied victory for his side.

“It’s going to be a big game and we are used to such. The spirit is high in camp now after our big win over Cote d’Ivoire. We believe in ourselves but we will not underrate the Cameroonians,” said the product of Crystal Football Academy of Lagos.

He was joined by team first choice goalkeeper, Oladele Ajiboye (Aji-Boy), who was in goal when the Eaglets won the African U-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup titles in 2007.

He has been rated Nigeria’s rock at the rear, but says it is all about team work and does not see himself as the team’s superman.

“Everyone works for the team; we all have what we contribute and we all want to win the trophy. My job is to keep the ball away from our goal and I try as much as possible to do that,” Ajiboye stated.

Left-wing-back, Matthew Edile (Sabby-Boy) echoed his skipper’s enthusiasm, with a declaration that the lads aim to make the best of Wednesday’s crunch game. “We are focused on the match and we pray that God will give us the day,” Edile declared.

Incidentally, assistant skipper, Kingsley Udoh (who plays in central defence) and striker Uchebo Okechukwu will miss Wednesday’s match; after collecting two yellow cards each.

Edet Ibok comes in for Udoh with Haruna likely to start this time, after getting axed to the bench against Cote d’Ivoire, in what was seen as a disciplinary move by the coach, Isah Ladan Bosso.

The Flying Eagles will trained at the main pitch of Amahoro Stadium from 5:30pm Rwanda time on Tuesday, while the Cameroonians trained on the practice pitch of the arena on Monday.

Cameroon are unbeaten at this tournament, having drawn with Ghana and hosts Rwanda and beaten Mali 3-0 in their last match. Nigeria defeated Egypt 2-0, lost 1-2 to South Africa and eased 3-0 over Cote d’Ivoire.