After the Nigeria U15 Future Eagles’ 2-0 defeat to Morocco U16 in their first international friendly, head coach Patrick Bassey expressed pride in his team’s effort despite the result.
Read Also: Future Eagles Fall 2-0 To Morocco U16 In International Friendly
Speaking to Sports247 immediately after the game at the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football, Bassey highlighted the positives from the match while acknowledging areas for improvement.
“We played our first game today, and though we lost 2-0, our boys played very well,” Bassey said. “It was a 40-minute-per-half match, and we conceded both goals just seven minutes before full time. We lost concentration in the dying minutes, but overall, it was a good experience for the players.”
The coach emphasized that the match was a valuable learning opportunity for the young squad, who were competing in their first international game under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). Despite the loss, Bassey was impressed by the approach and attitude of the players.
“The hosts are permanently in camp and have recently played against Cameroon and Congo before facing us. This gave them an edge in terms of preparation,” Bassey explained.
“For our boys, this was their first international experience, and they handled the challenge admirably. We will correct our mistakes before our next match on Sunday.”
Looking ahead, the coach expressed optimism about the team’s ability to improve. “We will make adjustments, and I am confident we will do better in the next game,” he said.
The Future Eagles will have another chance to test themselves against the Moroccans in their second friendly match on Sunday, December 15th, with kickoff set for 5 p.m.
The team remains focused on building from this experience as they prepare for future competitions.
