Manu Confident Of Eaglets’ Chances As CAF picks Malian referee for Niger-Nigeria match

Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Manu Garba (MFR), is confident about the chances of his team in this weekend’s first round, first leg of the 2013 Under-17 African Youth Championship qualifier against Niger in Niamey.

He said the players have undergone serious training and are all in a better frame of mind going into the match, adding that the results recorded during last weekend’s International friendly match against Junior Wasps of Rwanda have boosted the team’s morale.

 “We have prepared enough for this assignment and we want to use this opportunity to thank the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the government and people of Cross River State for the assistance rendered to our team,” Garba said.

“We have played many matches against soccer academies and amateur teams but the way the players responded against Rwanda in the first and second game when we won 5-0 and 3-0 respectively gives us the confidence that they are ready for this match.

 “As a team, we respect our opponents and Niger would not be an exemption. But the players are ready for the game against Niger and Insha Allah, it shall be well with this team,” added Manu.

A team of 18 players and the team’s technical crew departs Calabar Thursday for Abuja en route to Niamey to keep a date with the Junior Menas.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Malian Mahamadou Keita as the centre referee for the match between Niger and Nigeria.

He will be assisted by Mouriba Diakite and Nouhoum Bamba while Ousmane Sidibe will assume the fourth official duties.Bruno Didavi of Republic of Benin has also been named as the match commissioner.