Manu Garba Reveals They Were Intimidated After U-17 AFCON Loss

Head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Manu Garba, has praised his players despite failing to qualify for the final of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, stating that they played “gallantly” in the face of “bigger” U-17 Guinea boys.

In their semi-final clash against Mohamed Camara’s side, the Golden Eaglets played out a goalless draw before going on to lose 10-9 on penalties.

It was the first time in the competition that Nigeria suffered such fate, after dominating Group A oppositions Tanzania, Angola and Uganda in the previous three matches, which ended in two wins and a draw.

“I congratulate my colleague for the victory but I must say that even in defeat we lost gallantly, despite the fact that the Guineans were bigger in size than my boys.

“They used their physical presence to intimidate some of the players.

“Of course they had the protection of the centre man some certain times. But I must say that we gave a good account of ourselves.

“We created more chances than the Guineans. We were just unlucky not to [wrap up the game in regular time]. But the ultimate is to qualify for the World Cup and that’s what we have done.

“So I say congratulations to the Guineans,” Garba told reporters after the game.

Nigeria will now face Angola in the third place and fourth place play-off on Saturday.