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Tag: Amuneke

  • Amuneke says Eaglets will avoid Chile ‘87 debacle

    Amuneke says Eaglets will avoid Chile ‘87 debacle

    The city of Concepción and Estadio Municipal has gone down in the history of Nigerian football as the venue where the country’s star-studded U-20 squad of 1987 met their waterloo following a humiliating 4-0 loss to Brazil at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 1987.

    Twenty-eight years after what was called the ‘Chile Debacle’ by a section of the Nigerian media, the Golden Eaglets will hoist the Nigerian flag in Concepción yet again for a crunch semi-final match against Mexico at the on –going FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, with the winner guaranteed a slot in the final match slated for Sunday in Vina del Mar.

    Speaking to thenff.com, coach Emmanuel Amuneke said the unfortunate loss by the Flying Eagles 28 years ago in Concepción will be an added motivation to guide the Golden Eaglets against defeat to the Baby El Tri on Thursday.

    “Sincerely, I can’t remember anything about Chile 1987 and I don’t want to be bothered about that,” said the straight –talking 1994 African Footballer of the Year about the Nigeria-Brazil clash of October 11, 1987. “But that said, we can’t afford to lose (at the same venue) to Mexico and this is an important game for us.”

    Nigeria and Mexico have only met thrice at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the Baby El Tri claiming a 1-0 win in a group phase match at Canada 1987 while the Golden Eaglets had the upper hand twice in 2013, when they walloped the Mexicans 6-1 and 3-0 in the group phase and the championship’s Final Match respectively.

    Amuneke reckons that the Golden Eaglets must, therefore, be at their best against the Baby El Tri who will be hard pressed to avenge their losses at the last tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

    “The Mexicans are a very good side and their performance so far at Chile 2015 is an indication that they have a very solid structure back home,” he said. “But we are working to ensure that the players are mentally ready for this big match.”

    Meanwhile, Amuneke was honoured on Tuesday with an award by the Chiguayante community in Concepcion. The award, according to the organisers, was in recognition of the Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach’s feat in leading a team to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

    PAST ENCOUNTERS

    July 16, 1987: Nigeria 0:1Mexico

    October 19, 2013: Mexico 1:6 Nigeria

    November 8, 2013: Nigeria 3:0 Mexico

  • Pinnick: Amuneke has earned our respect

    Pinnick: Amuneke has earned our respect

    NFF President Amaju Pinnick will be with the Golden Eaglets when they take on Mexico in the FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-finals on Thursday.

    The NFF boss departed on Monday evening, following the Eaglets’ 3-0 thrashing of three –time winners Brazil in the quarter -finals on Sunday.

    “I am very excited with the way the team has played so far, raising our country’s flag very high. The head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has shown tremendous maturity and has managed the team and everything around it brilliantly.

    “Amuneke is the kind of person you would naturally recommend for higher responsibilities. He has clearly rubbished all insinuations and dark innuendoes against him and has continued to do a marvelous job quietly. He has earned his respect.”

    The Eaglets take on Mexico’s U-17 at the 30,000 –capacity Estadio Municipal Ester Roa in Concepcion, with the prospect of a second –ever all-African final looming large in the South American nation.

    Mean and miserly (in terms of goals conceded so far – only one) Mali take on Belgium (the only European team left in contention) in Vina del Mar, which has become a home of sort to the Golden Eaglets and will host Sunday’s final.

    Mali and Belgium play the first semi final, starting from 5pm (9pm Nigeria time), before the Nigeria, Mexico clash that will again kick off at midnight in Nigeria.

    On Monday, NFF Deputy General Secretary,  Emmanuel Ikpeme arrived in Chile to join the high–flying Golden Eaglets.

  • Victory over Brazil boosted our cup hopes – Amuneke

    Victory over Brazil boosted our cup hopes – Amuneke

    Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has described Sunday’s 3-0 win over Brazil in the quarterfinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile as massive boost to the team title aspirations.

    Amuneke said the team played well and deserve to beat favourites Brazil.

    “Is not like we scored three goals and that was it. Before that, our side had 15 very good minutes, when the boys moved the ball around as we knew they could,”africanFootball.com quoted the former Barcelona star as saying after the match.

    “You have to give credit to my kids, who were tranquil and kept their cool to deal with the Brazil pressure and then scored at the right time.

    “For the players, beating Brazil is a big confidence boost. We still have a long way to the title, though.”

    Brazil coach, Carlos Amadeu, on the other hand, said his team lost to Nigeria because his players failed to put away their chances.

    He said the Nigerians utilised their chances and that was the difference.

    “We knew it was important for us to make the most of our opportunities, especially if we dominated the game at some point, but we didn’t,” he lamented.

  • Brazil will be tough -Amuneke

    Brazil will be tough -Amuneke

    The Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar will come alive again today when Nigeria and Brazil  for the first time  in the history of the global cadet championship clash for a semi- final ticket at the  FIFA Under-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

    There is a healthy rivalry between both countries with Nigeria slightly ahead of Brazil with four titles as against three under the belt of the South Americans and Golden Eaglets’ Head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has admitted  that  it will be a battle royale when the two most accomplished teams at  this level ‘meet.’ “

    Our match against Brazil on Sunday is not a cup final  but I agree with you that it is not going to be an easy match either,” Amuneke told thenff.com.“

    This is one more game towards our objectives ; the Brazilian team is  very good  and over a month ago, we beat them 2-1 at the Suwon U-17 Youth  International Tournament in South Korea.

    “We have seen  the stuff they are made  of but it would  be a totally different ball game on Sunday because this is a World Cup match  and not a friendly match or a pre-World Cup tournament .

    “ But I’m hopeful, we are going to put up a good fight against them on Sunday,”  Amuneke  said.

    Nigeria and  Brazil have  seemingly had an identical route to the quarter final stage after both lost  once  at the Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo at the  group phase.

    Whereas Brazil lost 1-0 to South Korea in their first opening match in Group B, the Golden Eaglets lost 2-1 to Croatia in their last Group A match and Amuneke further explained that there won’t be margin for errors on Sunday.

    He said: “ On Sunday, both teams would be at their best  because we have both seen ourselves in Korea before now ; and I expect this to be a difficult match for both teams  but what would count is the mentality of both teams on Sunday,” he said .

    “ We don’t build our team on jokers rather, we want to play as a team  because every player brought here is equal to the task but we are going to see how we can get better on Sunday.”

  • Amuneke praises Osimhen, set for Brazil

    Amuneke praises Osimhen, set for Brazil

    Nigeria coach Emmanuel Amuneke has praised striker Victor Osimhen after his hat-trick helped the Golden Eaglets dump out Australia 6-0 to set up a World Cup quarter-final against “favourites” Brazil on Sunday.

    The Eaglets turned on the style by trouncing Australia early Thursday morning with Osimhen spearheading the goals charge to be the leading goals scorer with seven goals.

    “It was a very interesting match. We knew that Australia were a good team because they qualified from a very difficult group, but my players were able to recuperate themselves from the loss against Croatia and regained their level,” Amuneke said. “Victor (Osimhen) had a great game, although the philosophy of this team is to play collectively.

    “We are candidates to win the title, but so are Brazil. We will work to put up a good fight.”

    Amuneke added: “We will continue to believe in ourselves. Nigerians should continue to believe in this team. We have to work collectively to reach our objectives.

    “We will prepare very well so as to give a good account of ourselves against Brazil.

    “Brazil are a very good side, we played against them in Korea (in Suwon tournament) but this is the World Cup. Brazil will be the favourites to win this tournament but we will have a plan to beat them.”

  • Amuneke slams Eaglets display against Croatia

    Amuneke slams Eaglets display against Croatia

    COACH Emmanuel Amuneke Friday night gave his wards the hairdryer treatment following their shoddy 2-1 loss to Croatia in their last group phase match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 at Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo.

    The Golden Eaglets lost the initiative despite racing to a first half lead courtesy Victor Osimhen’s goal in the 20th minute goal only for Croatia to score twice in the second half through Josip Brekalo and Karlo Majic in the 50th and 54th minutes respectively.

    Moments after the match, Amuneke told the Eaglets inside the locker room matter-of-factly that their poor performance against the Europeans was totally unacceptable, even as he challenged them to an improved performance in subsequent matches.

    “This is the World Cup and we can’t play as bunch of friends and expect to win,” rapped the former Barcelona winger.”We refused to play today and our body language was so disappointing and unprofessional.

    “We thank God we are already through to the next round and that means we have to redouble our efforts and prepare well for our next game on Wednesday,” he noted.

  • Eaglets lost to better team – Amuneke

    Eaglets lost to better team – Amuneke

    Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said his players were not at their best in Friday’s  FIFA U-17 World Cup game against Croatia.

    But despite the loss, Nigeria finished top of the group with six points from three matches, while Croatia came second with five points, africanFootball.com reports.

    Amuneke said his boys have to play more as a team going forward.

    “My players wanted to win, but we were not the best tonight. The Croatians gave us many problems. They prevented us from playing our game and deserved to win,” he said.

    “My players are very talented, but still have room for improvement collectively.”

  • U-17 World Cup: Amuneke hails ‘effective’ Eaglets

    U-17 World Cup: Amuneke hails ‘effective’ Eaglets

    Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has hailed his players after the team 5 – 1rout of hosts Chile in Wednesday morning FIFA U-17 World Cup game.

    “It is true we were effective up front. But we also knew how to block their passing game, forcing them to play uncomfortably in the midfield,” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted Amuneke as saying to reporters.

    “My players understood the transition game, that is when to attack and when to defend. We also prepared them mentally.  It is not easy to play against the hosts.

    “The Chileans are good, but today they lost to the best team. I believe they can qualify for the next round.”

     

  • Amuneke lauds wards after USA win

    Amuneke lauds wards after USA win

    Head coach of Nigeria’s Under-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke has praised his charges for their performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the USA in their opening game of the 2015 Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

    The Golden Eaglets powered to a 2-0 win over the Americans at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago De Chile courtesy of goals from Chukwudi Agor and Victor Osimhen.

    Amuneke said after the game that he was satisfied with the display of the world champions.

    “Considering it was the first match, I think it was a good game. At the beginning it was pretty even, everything very tactical, neither of us wanted to make a mistake.

    “At half time I told my players to believe in themselves, and it worked, because we were more precise,” the coach was quoted as saying on www.fifa.com.

    The Nigerian side however struggled to get into their stride early in the contest but Amuneke was pleased with how his boys kept their feet firmly on the ground.

    “Besides the three points, which are very important, I also liked that we kept our heads even when we could not get things going,” he said.

    USA coach, Richie Williams also had kind words for Amuneke’s side which he described as “a good Nigerian team.”

    “We are obviously disappointed because of the outcome. We played a good first half, we were balanced, solid and we even created some chance that we were not able to convert.

    “Nigeria scored two quick goals, but thanks to unfortunate errors on our side.

    “We were hoping to be more effective, but we lost against a good Nigerian team,” he said.

  • Amuneke Promises: We’ll work harder

    Amuneke Promises: We’ll work harder

    •Salutes Eaglets’ winning start

    Golden Eaglets Head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has described Saturday’s 2-0 win over the United States of America as a morale booster for the players in the quest to successfully defend the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

    Chukwudi Agor and Victor Osimhen gave Nigeria a winning start courtesy of two second half goals against the Americans at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.

    “The victory against the USA was important for us and I want to congratulate the boys for making Nigerians happy,” Amuneke told thenff.com.

    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.

    “This victory against the USA is for Nigerians especially for many who stayed up late to watch the match,” stated the former African Footballer of the Year who refrained from praising the goal scorers against USA.

    “It is the job of all the players to do their respective jobs in the interest of the team. We want to play and win as a team and collectively, we want to work in order to achieve our overall objective at this tournament.”

    Meanwhile, midfielder Chukwudi Agor has described his goal and indeed the opening goal in Group A at Chile 2015 against the USA, as very

    important for his budding career. It was Agor’s second goal for the national U-17 side after he grabbed the winner in the 2-1 win over Brazil at the Suwon U-17 Tournament in September.

    “I’m happy that I scored ,” said Agor, “I’m dedicating the goal to my sister, Oluchi.”

    The Golden Eaglets will, in the meantime, hit the road on Sunday for Vina del Mer where they will play host Chile at the 24,000 Capacity Estadio Sausalito on Tuesday.