BY JACOB AJOM
Although the Golden Eaglets defeated their Guinean counterparts 3-0 in the first leg, 2013 Africa U-17 Championship qualifier, most fans that thronged the U.J.Esuene Stadium were not satisfied with the team at the final whistle.

Given the dominant performance of the Coach Manu Garba tutored team, Calabar fans believed the scoreline left much to be desired as they squandered numerous scoring opportunities, particularly in the first quarter of the encounter.

Asuquo Etim, a Calabar resident who was at the stadium to cheer the team said, “these boys will break somebody’s heart. They play so well, but when they reach the post they lose the ball.”

But Golden Eaglets assistant coach, Emmanuel Amunike urged Nigerians not to put undue pressure on the team as they prepare to face Guinea in the second leg of the 2013 Africa U-17 championships in Morocco.

Speaking at the U.J.Esuene Stadium after the match in Calabar, Amunike said “the most important thing is that the boys played to win and they won, securing the maximum points. You don’t expect them to score as if they are in a basketball match. Whether they scored one goal, the most important thing is that they won.”

The former Nigeria international said, “they are still very young players who want to express themselves. They are still in the stage of learning and we as Nigerians need to come out en mass to encourage them.”