The former Super Eagles player said this when he addressed newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday.
Browsing: Amuneke
He continued: “They (players) were tentative in the first 20 minutes and this was expected because it was the first time they were playing at a big stage such as the World Cup but it was important we won the first game since it would boost our confidence going into the next game against host Chile; so we are happy but will continue to work harder
The nation’s junior soccer team is currently camping in Katsina to prepare for the defence of the trophy they won in 2013 in the United Arab Emirate
Golden Eaglets Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke. is upbeat about his team’s chances to defend their FIFA U-17 World Cup despite…
Amuneke is best remembered for his brace in the 2-1 defeat of the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the final match of the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia
The lads seemingly collapsed in the first stanza as the young Syli Nationale had better initiatives and deservedly went into the lead after Nigeria conceded a soft penalty in the 11th minute
The former Barcelona star believes a win against the host would set a good omen as Nigeria push for the trophy yet again
Christian Charles gave the Golden Eaglets a first half lead when he converted a penalty after Suleiman Muhammed’s goal-bound shot was handled in the box by Ace’s Captain Hassan, who later brought both sides on equal terms in the second half as he nodded home a corner kick beyond Eaglets’ goalkeeper, Amos Benjamin
Kaduna’s home boy, Suleiman Abdullahi, and languid striker, Victor Osimhen, scored twice in the second stanza to break the resolve of their more experienced opponents who fought like Trojans throughout
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke started with a possible line up pairing the duo of Chidera Akachukwu and Kanu Chibueze in the central defensive positions in only their first match for the national U-17 team
Meanwhile, Golden Eaglets’ Coordinator, Prince Udofia, has commended Amuneke and Titiloye Kunmbi of Abuja College of Football for their magnanimity to the team during the festive period
Though the ‘screening window’ to beef up the Niger 2015-bound Golden Eaglets was concluded over a week ago with about 100 players picked from a rigorous exercise, the coaching crew magnanimously allowed few more recruits since they had travelled far and wide to Abuja
“This is a coup because all I wanted today was to train in continuation of our preparation towards Niger 2015,” a shell-shocked Amuneke said after NFF’s Assistant Director(Technical), Coach Siji Lagunju, led the players in a fine rendition of the famous birthday song: “For he’s a good jolly fellow
“I think it is about time I make a presence on Facebook because of the huge demand from the fans that wants my opinions on football issues,” said the former Nigerian international who occasionally appears on Al Jazzier Sport as soccer pundit
Aside the youngsters who trooped in for the screening, 33 of the invited 35 players from the squad that secured the ticket for the continental cadet championship in September took part in the team’s only session on Monday
The Golden Eaglets had already recorded a 2-0 win on Monday and would need at least draw to secure their position of the group with a chance of meeting Group A’s runner-up in the semi-final on Friday
The former Super Eagles winger made the declaration on Thursday in Ilorin in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria