Audio By Carbonatix
The final match of the 2013 UAE World Cup between three-time champions, Nigeria and defending champions, Mexico on Friday in Abu Dhabi would be a game of wits.
This much was the verdict of Coach Manu Garba, Golden Eaglets' Head coach after Nigeria handed a 3-0 defeat to Sweden at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday in the semi-final.
Resilient
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.
- I still maintained that the Mexican team are 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 against Sweden in the Preliminary Round.
Pressure
- We showed today that we are a very strong side, maintained Manu, a World Cup winner as an assistant coach in 2007.
- 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.
- The Mexican team I maintained are at very technical team and I believe the final is going to be a great one but by the grace of God, we shall win this trophy for Nigeria and Africa, he noted.
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