Despite seeing his team edge a nine goal thriller 5-4 to beat host Tanzania, coach of the Nigerian team Manu Garba is unhappy with the goals his team conceded in the opening game of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations.
Garba was forced into making as many as three changes to his defence line up a week ago after the MRI test knocked out some of his regular players from the trip.
Although they played an all attack game and deservedly scored five goals, the coach who could easily blame his defence and to a large extent his goalkeeper for the goals conceded insist the team didn’t defend as a unit.
According to Garba, defending shouldn’t be left alone for the defenders in the team especially when opponents commit men forward like Tanzania did in yesterday’s game.
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” It would be unfair if we blame the defence line for the goals conceded. The goalkeeper too should not be blamed for the goals conceded. As a team we didn’t defend well. When you play against a team like Tanzania who were committing players forward you need more players to defend. The upfield players didn’t do that. We’ve to get the balance right before our next game”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.
Ade Emmanuel