Ahead of Nigerian Golden Eaglets’ final preparations for Thursday tie with Burkina Faso side, Coach Nduka Ugbade had pleaded for thorough preparation, warning that the fellow West African team is a strong side that should not be taken for granted.

The competition is the WAFU B championship final which Nigerian Eaglets won 2-1 last year.

Considering their records, the Golden Eaglets are still widely considered as the favourites to win the tie and seal a semi-final spot.

Ugbade however said in a pre-match conference, according to CAF: “My message before the match to the players is that these competitions are usually intense, and I told them we must have the will and play the match as it should, and stressed that winning makes us qualify for the World Cup.”