Abubakar
From: Dianabasi Effiong
Coach Manu Garba (MFR) has warned his boys against overconfidence as the Golden Eaglets eye a place in the second round; knockout stages ofthe 15th edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.
Speaking at the team’s final training session as well as the official Press Conference on Monday, Manu said the victory against Mexico is all but forgotten when they face Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Tuesday.
Manu reminded the players about the unfortunate incident at the CAN African Championship in Morocco when they won their opening match with an identical 6-1 against Ghana only to concede a 1-0 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in the second match .
“We want you to focus only on our match against Sweden because that is the only thing that matters to us now,” he said at the training.
“Don’t forget what happened to us in Morocco when we beat Ghana 6-1 in our first match but lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the next match.”
That defeat at Mohammed V stadium in Marrakech which was the teams first in almost 30 matches still rankles Manu as he spoke in clear terms:”
Brazil and Italy have both qualified for the second round because they won their first two matches.
“We have no excuse not to follow on their footsteps by winning our second game against Sweden and I have no doubt in my mind that you can achieve it.”
History indeed favours the Golden Eaglets’ aspiration since they have failed to qualify for the second round stage of any tournament only once 10 years ago at the 10th edition held in Finland in 2003.
” We won’t and can’t allow history to repeat itself ,”noted hard working Chidiebere Nwakali who was bashed by the press and public for that cheeky penalty kick in the 5-4 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at CAN Cup
final.
“It was very unfortunate that we lost to Cote d’Ivoire in Morocco and that was a big lesson for us.
“Our focus is on Sweden and the coaches have reminded us about the need for total concentration,” added Nwakali who was singled out for his virtuoso performance against Mexico.
The same was said by Japhaet Raymond at the press conference: “We have forgotten about Mexico; our focus is on Sweden and by the grace of God, we shall be victorious.”
Amuneke: Eaglets’ll sting Sweden
… As Gov. Imoke charges team
The Golden Eaglets would borrow a leave from former heavy champions of the world, Muhammed Ali when they face Sweden in their second game at the 2013 UAE FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Ali made famous the expression ‘sting you like a bee’ in his days and Golden Eaglets’ coach Emmanuel Amuneke has enthused here that the Golden Eaglets are ready to inflict on the Swedes their first defeat in the history of the competition.
Sweden, who qualified for the first time, opened their account in the 28-year-old competition with a heart-pumping 4-1 defeat of fellow new comers, Iraq.
But Amuneke said the Swedes would be given no chance on Tuesday as Nigeria eyes a second round ticket.
“We already have a strategy in place for. Sweden and we are ready for whatever antics they would throw at us, “said Amuneke, holder of UEFA Pro-License.
“We watched their game against Iraq and we already know how they deploy their players which are typical of Europeans and Scandinavian teams.”
Reminded of that famous battle of Toulouse when a Scandinavian side, Denmark against all expectations, comprehensively demolished the Super Eagles at the France’98 World Cup, Amuneke shrugged off the threats of
the Swedes, insisting that all hands are on deck.
“We would be business-like against Sweden,” he assured.”We would be frontal in our attack because they would naturally want to defend and wait for counter attacks.”
Pressed for the likely loopholes to explore against Sweden, Amuneke said matter of factly: “We would deal with that but the most important thing is that we respect our opponents
“Any team that is here deserves to be respected and we have seen that the Swedes equally have talented players too but in as much as our players follow our instruction, we would be home and dry,” added the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.
Meanwhile, Senator Liyel Imoke(CON) ,the executive Governor of Cross River State, who was unavoidably absent during the team’s opener against Mexico, has told his adopted Baby Eagles to consolidate their position in Group F by beaten Sweden on Tuesday.
A special goodwill message was delivered to the team during lunch time at their Danat Resort Hotel camp on behalf of the Governor by Honourable Patrick Ugbe, the State’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth
Development:
“His Excellency could not be here as planned because he went on pilgrimage to Israel with President Goodluck Jonathan but be assured that he would be here at some point to be with you.
“His message to you is that: the entire Cross State is supporting you as well as Nigerians, so go out there and do your best to win the trophy.”
Alfa gets licence to slay Sweden
He’s pint-sized and looked fragile but Golden Eaglets’ midfielder, Alfa Abdullahi proved how good he can be when he ran the team’s midfield with aplomb much to the admiration of the crew in the 6-1 defeat of Mexico on Saturday.
It is as a result of his ‘inch perfect’ performance against Mexico according to Coach Manu Garba (MFR) that Alfa has been given the carte blanche as the lynchpin to destroy the Swedes.
“I would give Alfa 100 percent for his performance against Mexico and he virtually ran the midfield effortlessly,” noted assistant coach,
Nduka Ugbade.”Of course, it’s not a question of how good was against nMexico but we would be delighted if he can even play better against Sweden on Tuesday.
” Incidentally, Alfa obviously knew what lies ahead of him at this championship while speaking in a routine video
conducted at the team’s pre-tournament camp in Dubai.
“I’m confident to be one of the stars to watch out for at the World Cup,” said the lad who captained College of Football Abuja to become the first African side to win the 61-year-old Karenka Riviera Invitational Tournament in Croatia last June
Alfa is affectionately nicknamed Goma which means figure ten in Hausa language and according to him, ‘because I play like Xavi ofBarcelona.’
He said:”I’m praying to God to have a very good tournament and on my part, I would do my best to ensure that we win all our matches at this World Cup.”
Argentines to run the rule against Eaglets
Referee Nestor Pitana from an area of early Roman Catholic missionary called Corpus-Misiones in Argentina would be the umpire when Sweden and Nigeria exchange fireworks at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.
Designated Match No. 24, the kick off is fixed at 20:00 pm local time which is 5:00pm in Nigeria with the 38-year-old Argentine alongside two of compatriots and another official from Costa Rica taking charge
of the game.
Juan Pablo and Diego Bonfa would serve as Assistant Referee 1& 2 while Hugo Cruz would serve as the Fourth Official.
The match commissioner is burly President of Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT); Mr. Pedro Chaluja.
Meanwhile, both Sweden and Nigeria would be wearing their contrastingfamous national team jerseys. The Golden Eaglets would spot their traditional green colours while the Swedes would wear yellow attire.
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