Nigeria U17s handler, Manu Garba, has exclusively told Completesports.com he’s not pleased with the porosity of his team’s defence at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, and is looking to fix it.
The five-time World Champions, the Golden Eaglets, have conceded four goals in two Group B games, which has raised concerns amongst many Nigeria fans.
In the opening fixture against Hungary on Saturday, the Manu Garba’s charges came from 2-1 down to eventually triumph 4-2.
While the tension-soaked experience of watching that performance was yet to evaporate from the psyche of the Nigeria fans, the Eaglets again conceded two against Ecuador in their second Group B clash two days after and fought back to win it 3-2.
Completesports.com spoke with coach Manu Garba, on Wednesday, on the five-time champions’ lack of defensive solidity so far in their Brazil 2019 campaign.
Garba admitted that indeed he was not pleased that his charges did not defend well as in the two matches played so far.
“I am not happy with the errors in the (team’s) defence,” Manu told Completesports.com.
“And I hope to make the defence more formidable in the next game against Australia.”
The Gold Eaglets will take on Australia in a dead rubber third Group B match of Friday, November 2019 at the Estadio Bezerrao, Brasilia. The kickoff is 9pm, Nigerian time.
Hungary and Ecuador will also clash at the same time, at the Estadio Olimpico Goiania.
Nigeria top the Group B on six points from two games. The Manu Garba’s team has already claimed a Round of 16 Spot, with a game in hand.
Ecuador are in second position on three points and need an outright win to advance as the second-placed team.
For Ecuador, Australia and Hungary, there is also an opportunity to qualify for the Second Round as one of the four best third-placed teams across the six groups.
By Sab Osuji
8 Comments
When dey meet the likes of argentina or Spain and Brazil who has the 1st man in attack as the 1st line of
defence.
I doubt if they will be able to win. Or make a come back after conceding .
Olu, this U17 footie. Anyone can beat anyone not like the senior world cup.
Good to learn the Mr. Garba has recognized the defensive weakness that needs to be addressed. Yet when I made a comment on this issue of defensive lapses after the game against Ecuador, I was criticized. Mr. Garba will no doubt tell his players to remain alert to defensive errors which against the likes of Brazil or Argentina can be punished. If the lads can show improvement in their remaining group game, the sky would be the limit for them. Best of luck Eaglets!
The tactical positioning of the players on and off the ball should be formally addressed immedietely. Wingers presence are not felt when on offensive and we won out of individual prowess. Amoo, the only baller .kudos to coaching crew.
Is true that the Golden Eaglets need to tighten their defense, but I saw some improvement in their game against Ecuador, a lucky own goal, and a fake penalty.The coach just need to give the defense line some instruction on how not to look porous. However, I don’t see any team in this tournament that has a good defense except may be Japan. Some people are talking about Brazil, Argentina and Spain, and you think those teams are better than Ecuador?. Brazil is yet to play an attacking team like Senegal, Nigeria, Angola, France and Italy, I saw a lot of flaws in the Brazilian defense and is after their game against Angola tomorrow that I will see how strong their defense is. As for Argentina and Spain, though they did not score each other, but their defense look suspect, and the worst is that they can’t shoot accurately at the goal, I will not comment more on this until they play with those attacking teams I mentioned above. Apart from Japan, Paraguay is another team with a strong defense, and these are my observations.
Garba my man , you no get shaking fire to final make everyone know you was once a champion same tournament in Dubai
Now that this third match is a dead rubber, we hope to see Abba Bichi, otherwise we will conclude that we went to the tournament less a player.
I won’t be surprised if bucci is benched again..