Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has predicted a tough test for his wards when they open their 11th African U-17 Championship account against Niger at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) in Niamey on Sunday.
The former Barcelona star believed a win against the host would set a good omen as Nigeria push for the trophy yet again. Golden Eaglets nearly won the championship the last time in Morocco but lost to Cote d’Ivoire in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw.
“The first game is very important and we want to win irrespective of the fact that we are meeting Niger,” said Amuneke who scored a brace in the 2-1 win over Zambia at 1994 African Cup of Nations Final Match. “Of course, we know it is never going to be an easy match because both teams would like to win. ”
He said he was not oblivious about the huge test of playing against the host in front of a partisan crowd, adding his wards must gird their loins:”We have told the players in clear terms that we want nothing but victory against Niger,” he said.”It’s never going to be easy but we must be tactically and psychologically sound for this match.”
Golden Eaglets’, who are drawn in Group A, would subsequently play Guinea and Zambia on February 18 and 22 respectively but Amuneke further stated that the focus of the team is Sunday’s match against Niger: “Mentally, we must be prepared for the home team but if we win, it will put us on course for other matches.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets have started their build up towards Sunday’s opening fixture against Niger with impressive sessions at the practice pitch of Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) on Friday.
All the 21 players featured in the Morning session with players put under their paces in fitness exercises; passing drill; marking amongst others.
Amuneke psyched the players on the stiff test to expect on Sunday as the team fine tunes all the rough edges:”We need to psychologically prepare ourselves in all circumstances because in football, you can never neglect the inconveniences,”he said. “Our idea is that we want to win though we don’t know what the match can bring, we must be able to resolve the issue.”
Birthday boy, Suleiman, eyes Eaglets win
His birthday anniversary coincides with Golden Eaglets’ opening fixture at the 11th African U-17 Championship against host Niger on Sunday and Suleiman Muhammad wants nothing but victory.
Suleiman fondly called Yaro (small boy) by team-mates; is one of the new faces in the team but has been impressive since he was drafted after the team’s last open screening.
“I’m very lucky to be part of this team,” said a very shy Suleiman with a cherry smile.
Suleiman has every reason to be happy after he missed out of the
national Under-15 team that won the soccer Gold medal at the African
Youth Olympic Games in Botswana last year.
“I was not happy when my friends went to Botswana but I’m happy now,” he said.
Hails from Nigeria’s soccer city, Jos, Suleiman said he would be the happiest guy on Sunday should the Golden Eaglets win their opening
match against Niger.
“Insha Allah (by the grace of God), we shall beat Niger on Sunday and I have begged my team-mates to make it a special day for me,” explained Suleiman, whose favourite foods include rice and spaghetti.
Born February 15, 2000, Suleiman is the third in a family with three other boys and girls and revealed he wants to make his family proud.
“I’m the first person to play football in the family and it is my prayer that I become a great footballer,” he said.
“The only thing I love besides playing football is prayers; and I pray before matches and Insha Allah, we are going to win on Sunday,” he added.
newfanzone 