Manu: Nigeria Will Defeat Iraq.

Golden Eaglets Head coach, Manu Garba, believes his players will be at their best when they play against Iraq today at the Al Rashid Stadium in Dubai.

Speaking at the official match conference held at the stadium’s Media Centre on Thursday, Manu said the Golden Eaglets were battle ready to play the Iraqis who are seeking their first win in the history of the competition.

The  Golden Eaglets  will go into the match  as  the top team in Group F after a 6-1win over defending champions, Mexico  and a hard-fought 3-3 draw againstSweden  but  Manu, said  it would be difficultfor the Iraq's team to defeated the Eaglets that tops Group F.

Manu would further dismissed the erroneous impression that the Golden Eaglets often struggle against stronger  oppositions  as it happened against a stoic  Swedish side on  Wednesday and not forgetting the loss to Cote d’Ivoire  atthe  CAN Under-17 in Morocco last April.

“We have no other way than to win our game against Iraq and Insha Allah (by the grace of Allah), we are going to win,” Manu said. “We respect Iraq  but we are going to do everything in our capacity to win this match because our objective is to do very well at this championship.”

Manu would further dismissed the erroneous impression that the Golden Eaglets often struggle against stronger  oppositions  as it happened against a stoic  Swedish side on  Wednesday and not forgetting the
loss to Cote d’Ivoire  at the  CAN Under-17 in Morocco last April.

“You judge a team with the amount of chances it create and I disagree with the impression that we struggle against well organised teams,” he maintained. “We always do our best and even at the CAN Under-17, we
scored 18 goals compared with Cote d’Ivoire that scored five goals.”

On goal scoring, Manu  said he had arsenal several players who can fill the void created following the loss of star striker, Isaac Success due to injury, adding that the team would cope well despite the obvious setback.

Meanwhile, FIFA has appointed an Italian referee,Gianluca Rocchi to handle the match between Nigeria's Golden Eaglets and Iraq at the Rashid Stadium, in Dubai .

He will be assisted by the Elenito Di Liberato, who is first referee and Gianluca Cariolato, the second assistant referee just as Ken Hansen from Denmark is the fourth official. 

The Golden Eaglets would wear the Green gear while the Iraqis would be on whites.