Manu Urges Flying Eagles To Cheer Up Despite Stadium Standoff

Coach Manu Garba has asked the Flying Eagles to cheer up despite a stadium standoff that forced them to train away from the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“Boys, just cheer up,” Manu told the players after a 20-minute standoff with stadium officials who insisted they could not train on the National Stadium pitch Saturday morning.

“We should not allow this to take us away from our focus, which is victory in Sunday’s match.”

The Nigeria U20s therefore had to make do with the sides of the artificial pitch at the other wing of the National Stadium.

After the stones were picked out by both players and officials, the team worked out for an hour and half to round up their preparations for Sunday’s AYC qualifier against hosts Ngorongoro Heroes.

Assistant coach Nduka Ugbade made reference of this episode at the press conference at the TFF office Saturday morning, but was also quick to point out that overall the team were very much at home in Tanzania.

Ugbade also said they will not make the mistake of underrating their hosts.

“There are no longer small teams in the game. Sunderland defeated Chelsea in the EPL and little Togo qualified for the 2006 World Cup,” said the former international fullback.

“It would therefore be foolish of us to come here believing we can overrun Tanzania, who we are told like to play football.”

Tanzania U20 skipper and goalkeeper Aishi Manula said he hopes the fans will come out to cheer them to victory on Sunday.

“We’re a young team and so we need the support of the fans on Sunday to win,” said Mulula, who is second-choice at newly crowned Azam FC.