The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday announced the appointment of veteran coach Manu Garba to Nigeria’s Men’s U17 team, the Golden Eaglets.
Via a press release, the football house said Garba, who led the team to U17 World Cup success, will be the new man at the helm of affairs, replacing Nduka Ugbade in the role.
Known for his all-out attacking football as shown by his class of 2013 team, Manu has been saddled with the task of raising the next batch of talents for Nigeria.
Manu Garba: FIFA U17 World Cup winner
Under Manu, Nigeria won the FIFA U17 World Cup with some swashbuckling displays that caught the eyes of many.
Under his leadership, the Golden Eaglets soared to victory, claiming Nigeria's fourth title at that level. Players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Isaac Success blossomed under Garba's guidance, showcasing the talent pipeline he meticulously nurtured.
Manu Garba's road to success in the UAE
In 2013, The team, securing the runner-up position at the African U17 Championship in Morocco after a penalty shootout loss to Cote d’Ivoire, showcased exceptional prowess in subsequent matches at the FIFA U17 World Cup hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
They commenced their journey with a resounding 6-1 victory over Mexico, followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw against Sweden, and a commanding 5-0 win over Iraq.
With their formidable form, they dominated Iran with a 4-1 triumph in the Round of 16 and then proceeded to defeat Uruguay 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
The semi-finals were no different as they outclassed Sweden 3-0 to set up a clash with Mexico in the final.
Ultimately, they clinched the championship title by defeating the Mexicans 3-0 in the final, showcasing their undeniable talent and determination throughout the tournament.
Manu, 58, has also coached the U20 team in 2015 with whom he won the African U20 Cup of Nations in Senegal but didn’t go far at the FIFA 2015 World Cup, losing to Germany in the Round of 16.
His first challenge is to set up his team for next month’s WAFU B U17 tournament in Ghana.
The tournament will provide the teams that will represent the zone at the African U17 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco.
