FIFA U-17 World Cup: I already have a winning strategy in place to dismantle Iran,- Manu

coach Manu and Coach Doustimehr

   Coach Manu Garba (MFR) said he already has a winning strategy in place to dismantle Iran in Tuesday’s 2013 Under-17 FIFA World Cup Second Round Match at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

The match which would kick-off at 8:00 pm local time (5:00pm in Nigeria), according to Manu, offers the Nigerian youngsters the chance to continue with their excellent form in the competition.
“We would ensure that we win this game within the allotted time and we are looking at the possibility of not allowing the game to be dragged unto a penalty shootout,” said Manu who further reinforced his stand at the official Press Conference. “Yes, I agree that   Iran has been making progress since they started but they won’t progress (beyond the second round) at the expense of Nigeria on Tuesday.”

Though sounding very optimistic that the match would be won by his glory-seeking side within the regulation time , Manu and his assistants were not taking chances as they drilled and perfected
penalty kicks with the players at their last training session on Tuesday. It would be recalled that   a penalty kick cost the team dear at the CAN Under-17 finale when they lost 5-4 to Cote d’Ivoire after a pulsating 1-1 draw.

“Against Iran, there won’t be any margin for errors and we what you to pay proper attention to everything we have done and would do for this match, “Manu further told the players.
At the Press Conference proper, Manu said he was not under any pressure rather he has the   belief that destiny already had something in store for Nigeria to win yet her fourth title on an Asian soil.

He said: “All Nigeria’s previous victories in 1985; 1993 and 2007 were all in Asia and we are here again in Asia in 2013 and I think history favours us to win this trophy.

“ But we are not talking about winning the trophy now, rather we are talking about Iran and Insha Allah( by the grace of Allah), we shall win our match against Iran,” he noted before going for a photo-shoot with Iran’s counterpart, Coach Ali Doustimehr.