FIFA U-17’S ‘GROUP OF DEATH’ : We are not afraid of our opponents- Obuh Don’t take any chances- Siasia Germany won’t underrate opponents – Pezzanoli

Although it will take another two months for the competition proper to start, the draws held on Friday no doubt sent cold shivers down the spines of representatives of nations who feel they were unfortunate to be grouped with opponents they had prayed to avoid early in the championship. It is this same degree of […]

Although it will take another two months for the competition proper to start, the draws held on Friday no doubt sent cold shivers down the spines of representatives of nations who feel they were unfortunate to be grouped with opponents they had prayed to avoid early in the championship.

It is this same degree of appreciation of the pedigree of the countries in group A that has made football pundits to describe it as the ‘group of death’. The group is definitely going to be the star attraction because apart from the fact that it is made up of the host country and defending champions, expectations are high that any country that would survive in the group should make a good chase for the diadem.

Based on pedigree in the championship, the host country is clearly the best of the four teams in the group having won the cadet tournament in 1985 in far away China when it debuted, then in 1993 in Japan and most recently 2007 in South Korea.

Meanwhile, none of the countries drawn in the same group with the golden Eaglets boasts of such profile. In fact none of the European countries that have qualified for the championship has won it. If this is anything to go by, then the presence of Germany in the group shouldn’t be a problem to the Nigerian team which is gunning for its fourth title. However, the need to break the jinx may propel the Germans to do something extra-ordinary as they begin their latest effort against the Eaglets on October 24 in Abuja.

 In the same vein, the Argentines who are familiar customers will give the other teams in the group a run for their money. By the way, despite the country’s impressive record in youth tournaments, it is yet to savour the joy of winning the title in this category.

The group is therefore made up of countries that have a lot to offer. Interestingly, none is willing to make the mistake of taking other opponents for granted. Speaking moments after the draw was held, Chief Coach of Golden Eaglets, Mr. John Obuh expressed confidence in the team’s ability to excel over any team drawn in group A.

“I am doing my best to succeed with the little time left.

“I am not scared of any team and by the grace of God we will present a very good team and I am sure our best will bring something out of it,’’ Obuh said.

One of Obuh’s assistants Coach Samuel Abimbola told Trustsports that the team’s coaching crew is aware of the challenges ahead but is in no way intimidated by the other countries.

“We are no doubt in a group of death. However, the way we feel about our opponent, that is the way they also feel about us. Moreover, any country that qualifies for the championship is no pushover. All we have to do is to do our work and call on God to give us the luck to win the win the championship back to back.

“All we need is support from Nigerian soccer fans and the Nigeria Football Federation. As host the pressure will be on us but with the necessary support, we would triumph” he assured

In his reaction to the draw, Flying Eagles Chief Coach, Samson Siasia said there are chances for the Eaglets to defeat any team in group A and advance to the next round.

“Every team in group A is beatable, all that the Eaglets need to do is to prepare well and ensure they do not take chances,’’ Siasia cautioned

On his part, the coach of Germany Marco Pezzanoli said his team will not underrate any opponent in the group. He maintained that his singular dream is to qualify from the group and would not make any mistake of undermining any opposition.

“I respect every team in the group and will not see any team as an underdog in my bid to qualify for the next round of the game.

“We want to go to the next round of the game,’’ Pezzanoli added.