Members of Nigeria Under-17 national team have admitted that they underrated Guinea after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at the Stade Seyni Kountche, Niamey, Niger Republic.
The Golden Eaglets need at least draw their final group game at the ongoing Africa Under-17 Championship to secure a semi-finals slot and book a place at the Fifa World Cup later this year in Chile, where they would be defending champions.
Skipper Kelechi Nwakali rescued a point for the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke-tutored lads 8 minutes from time, having trailed the Guineans for much of the proceedings courtesy of Sam Diallo’s opener- both scorers netting from the penalty spot.
Amuneke has urged the cadet players to focus on clinching their World Cup ticket against Zambia on Saturday, while also stressing the importance of team work.
“We had a bad game against Guinea because we thought we had won but you must respect your opponents and that is the attitude we must have against Zambia,” the ex-Nigeria international and one-time African Footballer of the Year opined.
Defender Lukman Halilu added: “They (Guinea) were faster than us and in the defence; we were very poor and dull. The Guineans were faster to the ball than us. We would push ourselves harder in the next game against Zambia.”
Meanwhile, all playing member of the team except Christian Charles, who suffered a knock against the Syli Babes, took part in the team’s training session at Centre Technique pitch on Thursday.
