The Coach of the Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba, on Monday said that he was comfortable with the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup draw.
Garba, who spoke to newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, immediately after the draw, said that the draw pitched Nigeria with Mexico, Iraq and Sweden in Group F.
The ceremony for the draw was conducted by former CAF Secretary General, Mustapha Fahmy, at the Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in the United Arabs Emirate.
The coach said that the Golden Eaglets had been picked as the second team and would have the honour of playing the group’s opening game against the defending champions, Mexico, who are also the reigning CONCACAF champions.
He said that the team’s work had been cut short, expressing confidence that that his wards would scale the hurdle and progress from the group.
He said: “I want to believe this is a fair draw for us and as you know, we have no choice than to prepare very well because this is an interesting and exciting group.
“Of course, you will pick Mexico as one of the best teams at this level, having been champions in two recent editions of the tournaments but we (Nigeria) are also a power to be reckoned with at this level because we have won it on three previous occasions.
“With all sense of humility, we would do our best to qualify from this group because it is our aim to do well at the World Cup.
“We are not going to underrate any team starting from our first game against Mexico.
“Alhough Sweden and Iraq are coming to the tournament for the first time, we cannot dismiss them too because every team at any tournament comes with the prospect to emerge champions.
“So, we just have to take one step after the other in order to realise our ambition at the World Cup.”
Garba said that the Nigerian Under-17 team would play in Group F, with their centre in Al Ain at the Championship coming up from October 17 to November 7.
The Golden Eaglets are currently in Uyo from their Calabar, Cross River State camp to intensify preparations towards the 2013 FIFA Under 17 world Cup, slated for the UAE.
The Golden Eaglets’ while in Uyo, would play a friendly match with Akwa Starlet or Akwa United before leaving for Calabar at the weekend.
Trending
- Traditional ruler shot dead inside palace
- Primate Ayodele to Yoruba Nation agitators: You can’t break Nigeria
- Police intercept bags of Indian Hemp at Lagos jetty
- Enugu, families to give Ibu, Junior Pope befitting burial
- Police arrest suspects for attempting to disrupt inauguration of commissioners
- Police rescue three children locked up by grandmother + Photo
- Police foil attack in Katsina, neutralise suspected bandit
- US vetoes Palestine’s request for full UN membership