Eaglets coach, Manu Garba confident of team's chances against Niger

Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Manu Garba, is confident about the chances of his team in this weekend’s first round, first leg of the 2013 Under-17 African Youth Championship qualifier against Niger in Niamey.

In a release made available to the media, by the team's spokesperson, Morakinyo Abodunrin, he said the players have undergone serious training and are all in a better frame of mind going into the match, adding that the results recorded during last weekend’s International friendly match against Junior Wasps of Rwanda have boosted the team’s morale.

“We have prepared enough for this assignment and we want to use this opportunity to thank the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the government and people of Cross River State for the assistance rendered to our team,” Garba said.

“We have played many matches against soccer academies and amateur teams but the way the players responded against Rwanda in the first and second game when we won 5-0 and 3-0 respectively gives us the confidence that they are ready for this match.

“As a team, we respect our opponents and Niger would not be an exemption. But the players are ready for the game against Niger and Insha Allah, it shall be well with this team,” added Manu.

A team of 18 players and the team’s technical crew departs Calabar Thursday for Abuja en route to   Niamey to keep a date with the Junior Menas.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Malian Mahamadou Keita as the centre referee for the match between Niger and Nigeria. He will be assisted by Mouriba Diakite and Nouhoum Bamba while Ousmane Sidibe will assume the fourth official duties.Bruno Didavi of Republic of Benin has also been named as the match commissioner.

Meanwhile, Golden Eaglets’ duo of Alhassan Ibrahim and Kelechi Iheanacho has vowed to get among the goals when Nigeria tackle Niger  in their First Round,  first leg 2013 African Under-African Youth Championship qualifier in Niamey on Saturday.

The lads have jointly scored some 25 goals in the team’s preparatory matches including the International friendly match against Junior Wasps Rwanda last weekend and they have reckoned that shooting down the Junior Menas in Niamey is a task that must be done.

Ibrahim, the bean-pole midfielder who has a stark resemblance with immediate past Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, said he would give a good account of himself.

“It is true that I have scored some goals for the team but they are not my most important goals,” said Ibrahim, who was voted the Most Valuable Player when the Golden Eaglets won the SUPA COPA NEROS at the official opening of NEROS Sports Stadium in Nanka, Anambra state in May. “All the goals in the previous matches we played are irrelevant because they did not qualify us for any tournament and that is why we must go for goals against Niger in Niamey.”

Similarly, Iheanacho has promised to further the cause of the team. The former Under-15 striker’s appetite for scoring goals is second to none in the team.

“It is a privilege to be here to play for the National Under-17 team and since I’m here, I’ll do my best,” Said Iheanacho. “I’m ready to work hard for the team and I’m confident that I would be among the goal scorers for Nigeria against Niger in Niamey.”