We Are The Future Of Nigerian Football – Garba

Nigeria defeated hosts Senegal in the final of the 2015 African U-20 Championship in Dakar on Sunday to claim a record seventh title in the competition.
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Both teams met in the group stage, with the Flying Eagles triumphing 3-1 but their rematch in the final wasn’t an easy affair for the Nigerians, who nonetheless, snatched a lone-goal victory through midfielder Bulbwa Bernard after 17 minutes, and toiled to safeguard the slim lead amid hostile local fans.
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The Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba attributed his team’s success over the host nation to discipline, solidarity and experience.
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“We met a better Senegal team than our first confrontation. They were very determined and wanted to win the trophy by all means but what made the difference to our favour was that we played a compact pattern both in the midfield and defence. We tried to hinder their movement and construction and it worked out for us,” Garda said.
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Most of the players in the Nigeria team progressed from the U17 Golden Generation, which Garba believes will make Nigeria proud soon in the senior level.
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“This group is the future of Nigerian football. Most of them were groomed at football academies in Nigeria, which is another indication that the country’s grassroots talent development is effective. And it is hope for the country’s football.”
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Nigeria made hundred percent achievement at the tournament, according to the coach. The trophy in Senegal and a ticket to New Zealand, where the junior World Cup will hold in May, were the team’s major objectives, Garba said.
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Nigeria has never won the Fifa U-20 World Cup. Ghana is the only African nation to have tasted gold at that level. Garba wants to be the second African team by winning the title in New Zealand.
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“We’ll do our best to win the junior World Cup. My boys are capable of achieving it and I believe it is not impossible,” he said.