Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba is not a man given to long speeches. He speaks only when it is absolutely necessary. And he selects his words carefully before uttering them.
Having piloted his team campaigning in the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup, Garba now knows better what to say of his all-conquering team. His confidence has shot up the ladder and his belief in the boys is absolute.
Garba said his football philosophy is “total football” and the performance of his team here has abtly demonstrated that.
“I give my players a special freedom, a freedom to express themselves,” he said, continuing, “when we have the ball, we all attack. When we don’t, we all defend,” said the coach, who was an assistant in 2007 in Korea the last time Nigeria won a U-17 World Cup.
“Take a chance; go forward, another man will cover you. All my players have the freedom to go anywhere, and it’s a responsibility they understand.”
Looking ahead of the quarter final fixture against Uruguay on Saturday Garba said he was aware of the task ahead of his team but “for us, it is a matter of win or burst,” he said adding, “we know a World Cup is a different story, but my attack is blistering. They can destroy any team on their day.”
Although the team has shown a propensity for scoring goals the coach said he has so many attacking options. “We don’t rely on just a few players to score or lead,” he added. “We have so many attacking options, we’ve multiplied them. We can hurt you from all over the pitch.
We’re not just 11 individuals playing a game. My players aren’t just numbers on a chalkboard. They are individuals with their own personalities. I have faith in them.”
lets do d damage guys