Golden Eaglets’ win against Brazil, a confidence boost — Amuneke

Golden Eaglets’ coach, ex-international, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said his team’s thrashing of the Brazil U-17 side was a boost that will serve to lift his players’ morale ahead of their semi-final tie. This is just as his opposite number, coach Carlos Amadeu has expressed anger at the defeat.

Amuneke said he was elated at his side’s 3-0 win over Brazil in the first quarter final of the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile, played Sunday night.

Victor Osimhen, Michael Dogo Kingsley and Udochukwu Anumudu’s goals were enough to send the South Americans crashing at the Estadio Sausalito.

Amuneke, the former African Footballer of the Year, however, stated that his lads still have a long way to go winning their fifth world title.

“Is not like we scored three goals and that was it. Before that our side had 15 very good minutes, when they moved the ball around as we knew they could,” Amuneke said after the game.

“You have to give credit to my kids, who were tranquil and kept their cool to deal with the Brazil pressure and then scored at the right time.

“For them, to beat Brazil is a big confidence boost. We still have a long way to the title, though.”

Also, reacting, Brazil U17 coach Carlos Amadeu said he is unhappy that his boys bowed to the Nigerians despite dominating the game.

“We knew it was important for us to make the most of our opportunities, especially if we dominated the game at some point, but we didn’t,” he said.

“Their goals were scored in only five minutes because of specific chances, not because we were not balanced.

“We would like to have put Nigeria behind on the scoreboard, but we failed to score. For these kids, everything that has happened here is part of their learning process.”

Nigeria face either Mexico or Ecuador in the semi-final billed for the Estadio Municipal Ester Roa Concepcion on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will now be joined in the semi finals by Mali who edged out Croatia 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Under-17 World Cup.

Sekou Koita struck the winner, and their superb defence has not conceded for almost five hours.

Mali will face the winners of the quarter-final between Belgium and Costa Rica. Nigeria will face either Ecuador or Mexico who meet in the other last-eight tie.