TheCable

Former France midfielder, Olivier Dacourt, is very impressed with the performance of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the on-going Africa Youth Championship in Senegal.

The team defeated hosts Senegal 3-1 in their first group match to start their campaign on a bright note.

Dacourt, capped 21 times by France, paid the team a glowing tribute.

“Nigeria have stood out for me as a team, they play collectively,” Dacourt, now a TV pundit for Eurosport and Tf1, said.

“I watched them beat Senegal even though their goalkeeper had to make three big saves. Their players are all on the same level.”

However, the former Inter player said the host could still get to the final and win the cup.

“It is now difficult for them after they lost their opening match in front of their fans, but we have also seen a team like Spain lose their first match to Switzerland and still go on to win the 2010 World Cup,” he said.

Nigeria and Senegal are back in action on Wednesday for their second group games. The Flying Eagles will face Congo while the host meets Cote d’Ivoire.