Cadet national team, Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba has downplayed his side massive haul of imposing statistics during their build-up matches for the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations zonal qualifiers, as he says the players just have to enact their form at the competition proper.
With action set to commence in Niamey, Niger Republic of Niger this Sunday, Manu has charged his players not to rest on their oars, as they prepare for their first match against Burkina Faso on Monday.
Manu’s side defeated Ituen Academy 3-1 in their final game on Tuesday, August 28 before their trip to Niamey on Friday.
In their build-up programme, the Eaglets played a total of 26 friendly matches and scored over 100 goals in those games, while conceding only 16 goals, an average of 0.62 goals per game, winning 25 of their friendly matches and drawing only once.
However, Manu insists it will not be about figures on paper any longer when they line out against Burkina Faso at Stade Municipal, Niamey on September 3.
Cote d’Ivoire and Benin Republic are Nigeria’s other opponents in Group B and Manu says he is fully aware of the hurdles his side will face, as only the winning team from the zonal qualifiers will qualify for the U17 AFCON billed for Tanzania in May next year.
