Manu vows Golden Eaglets will qualify for U17 AFCON despite fears

Manu Garba has vowed that the Golden Eaglets will qualify for the U17 AFCON despite the short time to prepare for the WAFU qualifiers next month in Ghana.

The experienced coach, who led the country to win the 2007 and 2013 U17 World Cups, has less than a month to prepare the Golden Eaglets for the WAFU B qualifying tournament in Ghana.

“Despite the short notice, I will qualify the team to the AFCON,” stated Manu, who gave the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi their international breakthroughs.

“We will prepare a team who will excel in Ghana come May 15.”

The coach disclosed that he has imvited an initial 51 players for training camp in Abuja, which will open Wednesday.

He said he personally scouted most of these players.

“I am a coach who is not sentimental or bias,” he said.

“When I see a good player, I will leave even my son for him.

“There has been limited time to scout for players so that those who who will play now may not be the ones to play at the AFCON and World Cup.

“There will be good competition in the camp.”

Nigeria are the defending champions of the WAFU B U17 Championship.