Amuneke: Eaglets’ll sting Sweden

The Golden Eaglets would borrow a leave from former heavy champions of the world, Muhammed Ali when they face Sweden in their second game at the 2013 UAE FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Ali made famous the expression 'sting you like a bee' in his days and Golden Eaglets' coach Emmanuel Amuneke has enthused here that the Golden Eaglets are ready to inflict on the Swedes their first defeat in the history of the competition. Sweden, who qualified for the first time, opened their account in the 28-year-old competition with a heart-pumping 4-1 defeat of fellow new
comers, Iraq.

But Amuneke said the Swedes would be given no chance on Tuesday as Nigeria eyes a second round ticket. “We already have a strategy in place for. Sweden and we are ready for whatever antics they would throw at us, "said Amuneke, holder of UEFA Pro-License. "We watched their game against Iraq and we already know how they deploy their players which are typical of Europeans and Scandinavian teams."

Reminded of that famous battle of Toulouse when a Scandinavian side, Denmark against all expectations, comprehensively demolished the Super Eagles at the France'98 World Cup, Amuneke shrugged off the threats of the Swedes, insisting that all hands are on deck. "We would be business-like against Sweden," he assured."We would be frontal in our attack because they would naturally want to defend and wait for counter attacks."

Pressed for the likely loopholes to explore against Sweden, Amuneke said matter of factly: "We would deal with that but the most important thing is that we respect our opponents “Any team that is here deserves to be respected and we have seen that the Swedes equally have talented players too but in as much as our players follow our instruction, we would be home and dry," added the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.

Meanwhile, Senator Liyel Imoke(CON) ,the executive Governor of Cross River State, who was unavoidably absent during the team’s opener against Mexico, has told his adopted Baby Eagles to consolidate their position in Group F by beaten Sweden on Tuesday. A special goodwill message was delivered to the team during lunch time at their Danat Resort Hotel camp on behalf of the Governor by Honourable Patrick Ugbe, the State’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth
Development:

“His Excellency could not be here as planned because he went on pilgrimage to Israel with President Goodluck Jonathan but be assured that he would be here at some point to be with you. “His message to you is that: the entire Cross State is supporting you as well as Nigerians, so go out there and do your best to win the trophy.”