Nigeria 0 – 1 Cote d’Ivoire: Manu: Loss an act of God

Coach Manu Garba (MFR) has described the 1-0 loss to the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire as an act of God.

It was the team’s first loss since they were assembled over a year ago but Garba, a pious Muslim, said during the post match conference that the loss would be a rude awakening to the team.

” All praise belongs to Allah,” Garba said.” Yes, we lost but I belief that was what destiny had in store for us.

“This was our first loss and it was painful to us as a team because we played our usual game but our opponents just refused to play.”

Going forward into the crucial game on Saturday against Congo, Garba said matter-of-factly: “We have no option again. Our backs are now against the wall and you should expect that we are going to react in a positive way.

” I don’t want to go into any permutations, we just have to win our last game.”

Saliu Ali-Baba,the former national Under-15 captain was equally philosophical, describing the despondent in team’s dressing room as unpalatable.

” It’s a shame that we lost today (Wednesday) and it is very hard on us because we have not lost a game before now,” he said.” We are all very sad but we have accepted the defeat in good faith.

” Our coaches would tell us what to do in our next game and Insha Allah, we are going to qualify for the World Cup,” he stated.