Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba has vowed that his side will perform better following their goalless draw against Burkina Faso in their WAFU B U-17 Championship opener. Nigeria dominated much of the match but failed to convert chances, leading Garba to lament inadequate preparation.
Speaking after the match, Garba said, “The match against Burkina Faso was only the first international game by the team. Burkina Faso were better prepared than us. They went on a playing tour, just like Ghana.” He admitted that the lack of earlier international exposure showed in their performance.
Despite the frustrating outcome, Garba expressed confidence that the Eaglets showed positive attributes teamwork, spirit, and flashes of attacking intent. He added that as the tournament progresses, the team will improve.
Editorial
We believe Manu Garba’s reaction after the draw is both realistic and necessary. A goalless draw against a well-prepared Burkina Faso side does not spell failure but it shines a light on what needs urgent fixing. Preparation, exposure, and match sharpness are not luxuries they are essentials. Without them, talent alone will often stall.
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Team cohesion and attacking ambition were visible in the Golden Eaglets’ display. Nigeria created opportunities but lacked composure in the final third. This is not unusual in early matches of tournaments, especially when the opponents have been on more intense preparatory schedules. What matters now is learning quickly—adjusting tactics, sharpening finish, increasing urgency.
Importantly, Garba’s willingness to admit shortcomings in preparation is a strength. Too often, excuses cover cracks; by acknowledging them, the team has the chance to correct course. The mental edge also matters players who believe they can improve often do. Confidence, after all, is built not just by wins but also by responding well to less-than-perfect starts.
We expect that Nigeria’s U-17 side will step up in their next matches. The combination of better preparation, resolute mindset, and sharper execution could turn draws into wins. This tournament still offers the Golden Eaglets a stage to make a statement and their performance already suggests they are capable of doing so.
Did You Know?
- The Golden Eaglets’ match with Burkina Faso was their first international game at the WAFU B U-17 Championship.
- Burkina Faso and Ghana both had playing tours before the tournament began, giving them more international exposure than Nigeria’s squad.
- Despite creating several scoring chances, Nigeria could not convert any against Burkina Faso.
- A heavy downpour disrupted play in the final 15 minutes of the match, making the pitch waterlogged and affecting passing and control.
- Garba emphasised that while he was disappointed not to get a win, the players demonstrated teamwork, sportsmanship, and growth potential attributes he believes will improve with more matches.
