Manu tips Eaglets for greatness

Eaglets

Nigeria coach Manu Garba believes  the triumphant Golden Eaglets will be recognised as some  the country’s best  players in the future.

The Eaglets on Friday beat defending champions Mexico 3-0 at the  Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates to become the first team to win  the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time.

  Manu, who assisted  the late Yemi Tella to lift the title in South Korea in 2007, hailed the team’s  historic victory over the North Americans.

“We hope to keep the boys together and make them a force to reckon with in the future,” FIFA.com quoted him as saying after the encounter.

“They are good and need more work  to make them better. It is the beginning of the journey for us and it is good that it is starting on Asian soil, where it began in 1985 when the first set of Eaglets won the cup in China.”

Manu, who also spoke on SuperSport,  believed  the team would graduate to  the Super Eagles.

“I see them moving up to the Under-20 team (Flying Eagles) and then becoming the future Super Eagles.

“We were the most consistent and most entertaining team at this World Cup.

“And I believe we have left an indelible mark  at this tournament.

“I thank God for the victory, it was a massive victory for us. This is not only for us Nigerians, but for the entire Africa who backed us to achieve this,” he said.

Nigeria scored 26 goals in the competition to emerge as the best attacking team.

Second goal scorer Kelechi Iheanacho said he  was  happy to be part of history.

“I don’t know if I can find the words to say what I’m actually feeling,” Iheanacho told FIFA.com.

 “I can’t even tell what I’m feeling because I’m feeling a millions things at the same time. I am feeling love for my teammates and my family and my country. I feel all of it. I’m on a high for winning the World Cup and the Golden Ball.”

He praised Japan ’93 winner  Nwankwo Kanu, who  watched  the final, for encouring him and the team.

The player said, “He is the true hero of football in our country. Back home, he’s like a father, like a brother. He’s like everything to me. He always gives us advice. He comes to train with us, to make sure we’re happy and moving in the right direction. He helps us to understand what football is really about, and what it takes to make it in the game. Talking with him and being with him is just a great honour.”

Iheanacho  won the tournament’s Golden Ball as well as the Silver Boot after he scored six goals. Sweden’s Valmir Berisha scored seven goals to  win the Golden Boot.

Nigeria also won the FIFA Fair Play Award and  Dele Alampasu voted  the best goalkeeper at the tournament.  He won the Golden Gloves for his efforts.