After the Flying Eagles eliminated the host Argentina from the present U-20 FIFA World Cup, former Golden eagles coach Manu Garba stated on Thursday that the Flying Eagles deserved greater recognition.
In the round of 16 match on Wednesday night, the Flying Eagles defeated the South American squad by scoring two goals in the traditional fashion.
Regarding the difficulties that come with playing a host nation in any event, Garba claimed in an interview on Thursday that defeating Argentina was equivalent to winning the World Cup.
Additionally, he stated that the technical staff, under the direction of Ladan Bosso, had focused on the trouble spots identified in earlier games, particularly at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal was victorious.
“The Flying Eagles deserve all accolades for beating host Argentina, which has won the Under-20 World Cup six times, to come out of the group,” Garba remarked.
Most significantly, the coaches focused on the team’s “grey areas,” as it were. The Senegalese squad, the African Champions, did not advance from their group, but the team deserves respect for that.
“The Flying Eagles group, which included Brazil, Italy, and the Dominican Republic, was labeled the group of death as soon as the draws were made.
“Like we did in the Under-17 in 2013, where Mexico and Sweden, the defending winners, played in the championship game and third-place game.
He recalled that Sweden finished third, Mexico took home the silver medal, and Nigeria won the U-17 World Cup. They all came from the same group.
The Flying Eagles’ group was clearly the strongest, according to Garba, who noted that all three of the clubs in that group had now advanced to the quarterfinals.
Garba reaffirmed that the team’s coach, Bosso, deserves greater praise for following the recommendations of numerous stakeholders and benching some players during the U-20 AFCON competition.
However, he disagreed with the claim that the Flying Eagles players showed their unique strengths and talents versus Argentina because the coaches did not provide any technical guidance.
You are aware that some players, particularly in the midfield and the attacking line, were cut after the AFCON competition.
“One cannot state that a team relied just on the strength of its players because coaching involves the coach’s input, and coaches must monitor matches as they take place.
“All South American sides are technically strong,” he said, “even if Argentina didn’t qualify for the World Cup from South America, they qualified as the host nation.
Garba exhorted the players and their coaches to put up their best effort to win their games within the allotted time in order to avoid sanctions.
He said the game might go either way with penalties.
“Government should work to increase their motivation. They require more inspiration, and I am confident that NFF will provide it, he said.
Garba asked Nigerians to keep praying for the squad to continue winning.
