The Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke says the team has bright chance of retaining the World FIFA U- 17 Championship, if the team works hard with commitment and dedication.
The FIFA U-17 competition will hold in Santiago, Chile from Oct. 17 to Nov. 8.
Amuneke, an ex-international told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan that the team needed to be dedicated to win the trophy, that it won two years ago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said he could not guarantee that the players would win the cadet competition, but pledged to give the competition his best shot.
“I will encourage the players to do their best to at the competition.
“All the teams that have qualified for the competition are going there to win, but the most prepared and lucky team will win.
“In Niger, the same thing played out, we went with the aim of winning and qualifying but in the end we came placed fourth.
“Indeed, Cote d’ Ivoire, the continental defending champions did not qualify as they were knocked out,” he said.
Amuneke stressed that it was good for officials and the team to seek the favour of God through prayers, as they prepare for the event, vowing to encourage players through better preparation.
“With the team playing together and being equipped with better tactical skills, I assure of good results’’.
He said that they he had been going round parts of the country to see if there were players, who could add value to what they already have not changing or overhauling the team.
“I am going to Asaba from here (Ibadan) and thereafter proceed to Owerri to scout for young players who think that they can play for the country.
“This is in an effort to disabuse the minds of good players not yet identified that they can still be spotted to play for the country. You do not need to a big shot to play in any National team,” he said.
“I did not know anyone when I came into limelight in football. I was allowed to play for Nigeria and here I am also coaching a National team,” he said. (NAN)
