Don’t Prioritise Argentina Game at the Detriment of Others, Amuneke Warns Eagles

Coach of the Nigeria under-17 football team, Emmanuel Amuneke, has warned the Super Eagles against “disrespecting their opponents” at the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

“My only fear is when we start to disrespect our opponent,” Amuneke told AfricanFootball.com.

Nigeria last won a World Cup game in the victory against Bulgaria in ‘France 98’- after the impressive result against Spain- but then went on to suffer their worst defeat in the knock-out round in a 4-1 demolition by Denmark.

Eagles Must Not Underrate Their Group Stage Opponents in the 2014 Fifa World Cup, Says Amuneke.
Eagles Must Not Underrate Their Group Stage Opponents in the 2014 Fifa World Cup, Says Amuneke.

The African champions’s final group game against Argentina in the forthcoming mundial does not come before their opening two duel with Iran and debutantes Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The ex-Green Eagles winger, who shares the record for most goals by a Nigeria international at the Fifa World Cup with current Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi, “fears” Nigeria should not become too obsessed about their South American group stages opponent and ignore other foes.

“We are giving too much priority to Argentina when we should have it in mind that Iran and Bosnia have also qualified for the World Cup and they have some good players.”

The coach, who was assistant to Manu Garba with the victorious U-17 side at the UAE Fifa World Cup last November, adds he was not surprised by coach Stephen Keshi’s 30-man provisional squad.

“I’m not surprised by the list,” Amuneke said.

“When you look at the beginning from qualification time, Keshi had invited a lot of people. Since it’s an on-going thing and Keshi was new to the job and he was trying to build a strong team and now they have the opportunity to be at the World Cup.

“All what we can do is to pray for the team and wish them all the best.”