South Africa Coach Serame Letsoaka is optimistic that five-time champions Nigeria will eventually secure a ticket to the finals of the Fifa U-20 World Cup.

Despite losing to South Africa 1-2, Letsoaka on Thursday said that Nigeria is a strong squad which deserves to progress to the semi-finals of this year’s African Youth Championship.

"Nigeria is a strong side and I know that they will play a serious game against Ivory Coast.”

"It will be a tough game but I’m sure that they will win,” Letsoaka said before saluting his side for outplaying the West Africans.

Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso superficially declared that their 2-1 loss to South Africa will motivate his players to raise their game against Ivory Coast on Sunday.

"We played poorly and this loss will motivate my players to bounce back and win against Ivory Coast,” Bosso said.

The Flying Eagles must win their last group game against Ivory Coast to ensure a berth in the semifinal.

South Africa’s win over Nigeria took them to the top of Group B with six points from two matches. South Africa will wind up their group games this Sunday when they clash with Egypt.

Egypt will throw everything at the Amajita because a win for the Pharaohs will put them in a good position of progressing to the semi-finals.

The top two teams in each group automatically advance to the semifinals of the AYC and at the same time qualify for the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

In any likely event that Egypt progresses to the semi-final, the best third-placed side in the competition will also earn a berth at the global show piece scheduled for September in Egypt.

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