Manu: 'Winning will be my greatest achievement

 

 

By Esther Egbe

 

The Golden Eaglets' Head Coach, Manu Garba said that winning the trophy on Friday was his greatest achievement ever.    He won the World Cup as an assistant coach in 2007, but, according to him, "There is an extra motivation for me to win this trophy and it would be my greatest honour yet because in 2007 I was an assistant when Nigeria won this trophy," Manu said at the lobby of Abu Dhabi Hotel before heading for his last pre-match press conference at this 2013 UAE U-17 World Cup.
Manu's Golden Eaglets became a record fourth titlist at this level following Nigeria's previous wins in 1985, 1993 and 2007.

The team ramped up fantastic results along the way to reach their sixth final including a 6-1 defeat of defending champions as well as scoring a total of 25 goals-more than any team in the competition.

Going into Friday's final against Mexico, the Golden Eaglets played a total of 48 matches; won 43, drew 4 and only lost once; scoring a total of 218 goals  and conceded just 53.

"Of course, I have won this trophy before but winning it on Friday by beating Mexico was the best moment of my coaching career.

"None of the players that I brought here play in the Nigerian domestic league; and I and the rest of the coaching crew had to groom this team from the scratch."

He admitted that the final match  wasn’t a one-way traffic for the team tagged 'the Nigerian Marauders' by  Emirati Newspapers since the Mexicans were out on a revenge after  their last 6-1 defeat.

 

Manu dedicates trophy to Goodluck, wife

After thrashing Mexico 3-0 in Abu Dhabi said he dedicated Nigeria's fourth record FIFA Under-17 World Cup victory to both President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Hajiya Babita Garba after Golden Eaglets 3-0 thrashing of Mexico on Friday in Abu Dhabi.

In the 2013 edition, Nigeria's star of the tournament (so far) Kelechi Iheanacho (a left-footer) had 5 goals, winning the golden boot as the most valuable player in the tournament.