Garba Satisfied With Eaglets Draw Says They Lost Concentration.

Head coach of Nigeria Under-17 men’s team, Manu Garba, has expressed contentment with the solitary point the Golden Eaglets salvaged from Tuesday’s 3-3 draw against Sweden.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets fought back from two goals down to seal a 3-3 draw against Group F contenders in a Matchday 2 encounter of the ongoing Fifa U-17 World Cup in Al Ain.

Valmir Berisha scored a brace within 20 minutes of play before Isaac Success pulled one back. Musa Yahaya leveled up for the three-time champions, but substitute Mirza Halvadzic restored the Swedes’ lead only for Taiwo Awoniyi to score and help share the spoil late on.

Getty Image: Manu Garba Contented With Eaglets Draw Against Sweden.
Getty Image: Manu Garba Contented With Eaglets Draw Against Sweden.

“We knew that the Swedes would play a direct kind of game which is typical of their style and we told the players but it was unfortunate that we conceded those goals through lack of concentration,” Garba said at his post-match briefing.

“Of course, we came out to win but we are happy with the draw and I believe this is how God wanted it to be.

Eaglets struggled to curtail their opponents’ threat in vital areas as the Scandinavians chose to loft aerial balls into Nigeria’s box and muscle their markers to the ball.

Due to what many have attributed to the domineering physique of the Swedes, the scorers of Nigeria’s first two goals were forced out of the pitch during the course of the proceedings.

But Manu dismissed the impression that his players failed to cope with the physical size of the opposition.

“We knew it was going to be difficult especially after we lost Isaac Success due to injury, but the most important thing is that we salvaged a point and I thank the players for their fighting spirit.”

“We knew how they were going to play and I don’t think it was the size that mattered rather the timing of our defence was poor today,” added the Nigerian coach.

He however rated his players above average for the draw, saying: “We did well against Mexico and I scored the players 90 percent.”

“But today, I can only give them 60 percent because all the three goals we conceded were due to lack of concentration.”

Up next for the three-time champions will be Iraq in their last group match scheduled for Dubai on Friday by 5pm.