U17 World Cup: Mexico will be tougher – Manu

The U17 World Cup final between three-time champions Nigeria and Mexico on Friday will be a game of wits, warned coach Manu Garba.

In Tuesday’s semi-final goals by Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Okon and Chidera Ezeh were enough to break the resolve of a resilient Swedish side that earlier played a 3-3 draw with Nigeria in their Group F match.

It will be another rematch in the final as Nigeria trounced defending champions Mexico 6-1 in their opening game of the competition.

But Eaglets coach Manu said it will be a different and tougher clash on Friday.

“I still maintained that the Mexican team is a very technical team and we can see their resilience by coming from a 6-1 loss to us (Nigeria) and still be in the final,” Manu said at the post-match
media conference.

Manu said the Golden Eaglets are now turbo-charged after a commanding performance throughout the tournament where they have won all their previous matches bar the 3-3 draw with Sweden.

“We showed today (Tuesday) that we are a very strong side,” maintained Manu.

“We are not going to be on any pressure against Mexico in the final because we would prepare mentally, physically and psychologically for the final,” he noted.

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