Amuneke Explains Draw With Ace Academy -Eaglets Coach Says He Experimented Under-17 national team, Golden Eaglets head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has come out with an explanation of circumstances that led to his side having to settle for a 1-1 draw against Ace Football Academy of Kaduna at the weekend, as the cadet squad’s gaffer says he actually experimented with previously untested players. Amuneke insists he used the game to evaluate some of the other players in his squad, as he decided to take a closer look at those who have not gained previous opportunities of showcasing themselves in match situations. Although the former Super Eagles winger, African Footballer of The Year 1994, stopped short of any lamentations over the results, he stressed that it might have been a different ending had he employed those he regards as his first team players. Eaglets’ media officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin confirmed that the team actually started with a line-up of many youngsters recently recruited from the national under-15 side, but says it was there for all to see that some of them still need to catch up if they will be part of the African U-17 Championship opening match against hosts, Niger Republic. Amuneke, however, went on to thumb-up the players and coaching crew of Ace Academy of Kaduna for their brilliant show in the draw at NFF/FIFA Goal Project, Abuja on Saturday. Christian Charles gave the Eaglets a first half lead, when he converted a penalty after Suleiman Muhammed s goal-bound shot was handled in the box by Aces captain, Hassan. Dramatically, it was the Ace’s captain who later turned from villain to hero, as he soon brought both sides on equal terms in the second half when he nodded home a corner kick beyond Eaglets goalkeeper, Amos Benjamin. While Ace practically dominated the first stanza of the match but lost several opportunities, the Eaglets were better towards the end of match following the introduction of their tried and tested legs. I intentionally started this match with many of our fringe players in order to see how they can collectively cope, Amuneke said afterwards. But Ace really gave us a good test and we can now judge some of these youngsters better. I think Ace was better than us especially in the first half but we are not discouraged about the performance of some of our players. Now, we are gradually having a clearer picture of what our team would look like in Niger. For the 11th African U-17 Championship to be held in Niamey from February 15 to March 1st, the Eaglets are drawn in Group A along with Niger Republic, Guinea and Zambia; with Amuneke’s squad billed to play the opening match against the hosts at Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) multi-purpose stadium.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 20:22:09 +0000
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