Coach Manu Garba has restated the resolve of the Flying Eagles to make history by becoming the first Nigerian team to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
The Flying Eagles have been beaten finalists at the 1989 and 2005 tournaments and have qualified for this competition without a break for the past 10 years.
On Monday, the African champions begin their campaign in New Zealand when they take on five-time champions Brazil at the 11,000-capacity Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth. Kick-off time is 1pm local time, which is 2am Nigerian time on Monday.
The Flying Eagles won African Youth Championship in Senegal in March. Now, they go for the FIFA U-20 trophy.
The Flying Eagles won the African Youth Championship in Senegal in March. Now, they go for the FIFA U-20 trophy.
”It is either the Cup or nothing else for Nigeria,” declared Manu, who led the country to win a record fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup two years ago and he is back in New Zealand with half of that championship-winning squad.
“There is a lot of pressure but we do not allow it to affect us because once we put yourself under pressure, you are most likely to make a lot of mistakes.
“For us, we do not know the word pressure. We do our best and just pray for mother luck.
“We have all it takes to go all the way and take the Cup back to Nigeria.”
The Flying Eagles trained at the smart Stadium Taranaki Saturday afternoon for an hour and will have their final training before the Brazil showdown Sunday morning by 10 local time.
