Nigeria Sports Arena

Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has given thanks to God and commended his players for Nigeria’s ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Chile later in the year.   Speaking moments after Saturday’s convincing 3-1 defeat of Zambia, which ensured first-place finish for Nigeria in Group A, a semi final berth and automatic ticket to Chile, Amuneke told Team Media Officer Morakinyo Abodunrin that his boys fought hard on the day.   Can you describe your feelings tonight? I'm very happy; and grateful to God. I'm grateful to the players because they fought so hard today. The condition of the pitch also enabled us to express ourselves much better but we are grateful to God that we have qualified for the semi final and also secured our ticket to the World Cup in Chile. We would enjoy the moment and focus on the next match but generally, I'm happy and grateful that we were able to achieve our objective. To whom are you dedicating this victory? How...

Nigeria's U-17 Head coach ,Emmanuel Amuneke,would be the happiest man on Saturday should his wards put up a spirited  performance to ensure qualification for a ticket to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile later this year. Amuneke is best remembered for his brace in the 2-1 defeat of the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the Final Match of the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.Though the setting on Saturday between the Golden Eaglets and the Junior Chipolopolo is different, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year has said there would be no margin for errors. He was optimistic his boys would do everything to gain a semi final berth at Niger 2015. "Our expectations (against Zambia) is to win and secure our ticket for the World Cup in Chile," former Barcelona winger told thenff.com. "We have to psyche up ourselves and forget about the draw against Guinea, we have to be optimistic to play much better."   Amuneke was of the view that the Golden Eaglets could pla...

Golden Eaglets' Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has predicted a tough test for his wards when they open their 11th African U-17 Championship account against Niger at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) in Niamey on Sunday. The former Barcelona star believed a win against the host would set a good omen as Nigeria push for the trophy yet again. Golden Eaglets nearly won the championship the last time in Morocco but lost to Cote d'Ivoire in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw. "The first game is very important and we want to win irrespective of the fact that we are meeting Niger," said Amuneke who scored a brace in the 2-1 win over Zambia at 1994 African Cup of Nations Final Match. "Of course, we know it is never going to be an easy match because both teams would like to win. " He said he was not oblivious about the huge test of playing against the host in front of a partisan crowd, adding his wards must gird their loins:"We...