Mumbai: Two-time champions Ghana run into rookies Niger in the round of 16 clash of the Fifa U-17 World Cup here at DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday.
Though Niger finished third in Group D with one win they gave tough time to Ghana when they met last in the African U-17 Championship semi-finals, losing in a penalty shootout.
“They have the belief they can overcome us, therefore it is going to be tough. We know each other well, so playing each other is difficult and tricky but that is so against any team at this stage, we will see it through,” Ghana coach Fabin Samuel said.
Ghana topped Group A with wins over Colombia and India and a defeat at the hands of USA by a solitary goal. Ghana start favourites against their African counterparts but Samuel is taking no chances.
“If you look at the round of 16 matches yesterday, you can’t sit back and walk over the other team. Paraguay won all their group matches and look at the scoreline (0-5 against USA). We don’t underrate any team and will play our best,” he said.
Ghana who dominated the tournament in the 1990s with two titles and two runners-up performances, qualified this time after missing the four previous editions and they want to make it count.
“Our fans back home want us to win any tournament. They have huge expectations, we are managing it and trying to do our best,” Samuel said.
Niger who are playing the tournament for the first time, started with a 1-0 win over DPR Korea in Kochi. That was followed with losses to Spain (0-4) and Brazil (0-2). However, they remain the only team amongst three debutants to be in the pre-quarters, India and New Caledonia having failed to qualify.
Niger coach Ismaila Tiemoko is optimistic to turn the tables on Wednesday. “We played two friendlies with Ghana and lost both 2-0. We learnt a lot from those two matches. The African Cup was additional experience and from two losses we brought it to 0-0 (before losing in penalties). Hope this time it is victory. We have nothing to lose and will go all out to win,” Tiemoko said.
Both teams have strong, athletic players and the game is likely to be a physical one. “It is a match of the highest level. We expect rough and tough play. We also expect fair play and lot of good performances. It is going to be a closely fought gma and will be more about mental strength than physical and tactical play.”
