WYC: Kayode expects bruising battle against Uruguay

Olarenwaju Kayode

Flying Eagles striker Olanrewaju Kayode has said he expects a very tough physical battle against Uruguay in a FIFA U20 World Cup clash on Tuesday.

Nigeria take on Uruguay in a Round of 16 clash with the winners booking a place in the last eight of the competition.

“Uruguay are a very hard and physical side and
we expect them to again be so on Tuesday. We won’t underrate them,” said Kayode, who broke his scoring duck against South Korea on Thursday.

“We watched them against Uzbekistan and they are really good going forward but I think their defence has not been really tested.

“We had a good game against Korea and we now hope to do even better against Uruguay to reach the quarterfinals.”

Interestingly, Kayode grabbed a late equaliser for the Flying Eagles against the South Americans in an invitational tournament in South Korea two years ago.
The match finished in a 2-2 draw.

Meanwhile, Nigeria sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi has called to congratulate the team.

The minister spoke on phone with president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari on Monday to express his delight with the performance of the U20 team in Turkey.

He will also address the team via telephone before Tuesday night’s match in Istanbul.