Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will begin quest for a third Africa U-17 title when they take on hosts Tanzania in the opening game of the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam today (Sunday) reports Completesports.com.
The Golden Eaglets were lucky to make the trip to Tanzania since Ghana nearly upstaged their applecart in the regional WAFU Zone B final match in Niger last September where they triumphed 3-1 on penalties after they both tied 1-1 in regulation time.
Manu Garba’s lads showed their readiness for the 2019 AFCON at the recently held UEFA-organised U-17 Turkey Invitational Tournament where despite losing 2-0 in their opener against Senegal. They beat Montenegro (4-2) and their Group A rivals in Tanzania, Angola (3-1).
The hosts will be buoyed by their teaming supporters who will be desperate to see them begin the competition on a winning note.
Garba however insisted his side won’t be under form of pressure in the game.
“We don’t feel any pressure playing against the hosts in the opening game. We have good records when we played in similar circumstances. Tanzania is a good team but we will see what we can get,”Garba told reporters in his pre-match conference.
Nigeria captain Tijani Samson is confident his side will secure maximum points in the game even as he acknowledged that they know little or nothing about the Tanzanians
“It will not be a tough game for us because we are taking one game after the other. We don’t know how they play and they don’t know what we can do but I am sure we will win.”
Nigeria won the title in 2001 and 2007. The West Africans have been runners up twice with the last being at the 2013 finals held in Morocco when the Garba, blooded the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City and Isaac Success of Watford, amongst others.
By Adeboye Amosu
40 Comments
Manu Garba has started again O… he dropped some legit 15 year olds for unverified ones… I’m actually responding to the dropping of our national under 15 captain omidiji one who’s also eligible for Holland and USA and have opted not to honour further calls from Nigeria due to the rational behind his dropping
AND HISTORY IS REPEATING ITSELF AGAIN AS HIS ELDER SISTER SUFFERED SAME FATE 2-3 YEARS AGO…NIGERIA EGUNJE COACHES
Lateef was not good enough this coach is not a confused coach and he is not carried away of your history or where you hail from all he seeks is your present performance.
Here’s the link to the story
https://owngoalnigeria.com/2019/04/12/dropped-u17-trainee-omidiji-will-shun-invitation-to-play-for-nigeria-in-the-future-after-failing-to-make-u17-afcon-squad/
Forget that link Lateef wasn’t good enough else he would have made the team.Manu is not that kind of coach you think.The boys he took to Tanzania were the best we have in Nigeria at that category.
If Lateef won’t honour future invitations based on him not making the roster to Tanzania then too bad for him and his big ego.
These boys are so selfish,the coach needs to talk them since every one is trying to shine on his own. What kind of a good players don’t play with their team mate,that number is good but he doesn’t release the ball
I was surprised at his omission, but at the end of the day the coach knows whats best for the team. And they hype was too much, which might backfire if he doesn’t perform the task
Ride on Garba not to forget I know some coach who are scared of host. Lmao
We shall see how far ur man will go. Nevertheless, I wish the team a good and successful outing.
I guess you are not watching the baptism of attacking football we are already 3-1up against the host. Not to forget this is a coach that discovered Ndidi Kelechi Success and co he is the talent producer and the end product coaches will not handle them well in the end.
And what’s the score now???? I don’t watch bunch of idiots,
Ewu…..pitiful….. Can u just imagine…. This is ur marnu garuba and his sorry lads. Worst Nigerian u 17 team ever…. Such a disgrace…
Lol…. Uselsee idiot…..they got saved by mother luck. How on earth can u lose a 3goal lead to a team as lowly rated as Tanzania? Do that against teams like Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal can be forgiven but against a team like Tanzania is unforgivable.for ur Info,Aba play port win is not trending these days, result is all that matters.
You are really disgusting just like your 1st name Drey keep switching names and using multiple accounts to disturb your father. I don’t have time for dramas like you
Chima please avoid this goat from alaba who is seeking attention by force from you. Biko no be your mate Naija win everybody win.
What time is this match, is there a link to watch it?
@ Chima,Greenturf thanks for dousing my fears as I have not followed their preparations… But I know Lateef to be a very good player… so if those listed ahead of him are slightly better or in better Form then I have no qualms, Soar Eaglets!!! The future is Yours Lateef brace up!
Lateef is good in fact very good but with the attacking set up I’m witnessing here then I realized why he didn’t make it because this other guys here are just too talented to drop the three forward line plays with both feet and are really unpredictable to mark.
Score now 3apiece, Nga 3 Tax 3
Not to forget kudos Manu Garba… I be dey think say u don join dem…lol
Am watching the game Tanzania,good playersfor but the forwards andto strikers seems selfish
Pls can anyone give out the link to watch the match.
whats the link charles
I was surprised at his omission, but at the end of the day the coach knows whats best for the team. And they hype was too much, which might backfire if he doesn’t perform the task
Eaglets 3 Tanzania 1
The team is well drilled machine in Attack the only touching that is needed is the defence and goal keeping department that was depleted by the second MRI scan prior to the tournament selection
Our Keeper na basket oh…lol
I talk am…3-3
4-3…lol…so 3 goals for Tanzania in 2nd Half
Tanzania 4 Nigeria 3
any shot on target for Tanzania has been producing goals so far, our keeper name error. We need to change him.
The goal keeper is the weak link in the team, he needs to be changed A$AP.
I mean the number 9 is good but very selfish. If they play with each other the scores would have been. 11-4, Nigeria is suppose to trash them very well
4apiece now…
Damn!!!!! That shot sha!!!
Well,its 4:5 now
These boys are so selfish,the coach needs to talk them since every one is trying to shine on his own. What kind of a good players don’t play with their team mate,that number is good but he doesn’t release the ball
Nigeria eventually won by 5 goals to 4… Attacking wise we can devour any team, but defense line is porous. Our keeper was timid and couldn’t handle any ball.
These boys will showcase their talents today.
Great game! 5:4 in favour of Nigeria
Deadly in attack, porous in midfield, terrible in defence. A lot of work still needs to be done. Throw away a 3goal lead against a good side, you’ll get terribly punished.
This competition is mirrored to raising genuine stars and not winning the competition,as we always aim to do. A careful thorough perusal of these young lads means we have truly young jewels,who are within the age limit as spelt out by the organizers. I wouldn’t focus on their shortcomings but on what they can strongly offer on the long term.
The defence may not be great at the moment but this boys are truly talented and would surely stand the test of time than most of our unearthed prior under 17’s at this level.
Just compare Amoo and Chrisantus,Akinsola and Ubani, and some of the 2007 winning set with this current under 17 boys you would see clearly that the age difference is poles apart. This boy’s are super talented and would surely make mistakes, which is strongly part of their developments. Not winning the competition is not should not be the yardstick to measuring their expected development but what they can offer on the long run.
I don’t think any team can stop these boys from winning this competition because of their talents. I can opine that, with the help of the MRI, our future is totally secured as we would not only churn out genuine Under 17 boys with massive potentials, we would also be rest assured that world class stars, who would take on the creame de la creame of world best footballers, emerge on all spheres of our football. Of a surety, Our football future is brimming with total glamore of great world class players. Reign firefully