Amunike, Mexico coach brag ahead U-17 S/final clash

In from Nifemi Daniel . . .

Nigeria Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amunike, and his Mexican counterparts, Mario Arteaga, are talking tough ahead of Thursday’s semifinal match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Nigeria defeated Brazil 3-0 and will face Mexico in the semifinal after the El Tri overpowered Ecuador 2-0 on Monday.

It would be a repeat of the 2013 final when Nigeria defeated El Tri 3-0 courtesy of goals from Kelechi Iheanacho, Musa Mohammed and an Erik Aguirre own-goal.

The Golden Eaglets had earlier trounced the Mexicans 6-1 in their opening game of the competition.

“We welcome the challenge of meeting Mexico again because we are more or less old foes,” Amuneke told thenff.com.

Read also: Eaglets’ goals ruined our tactics –Brazil coach

“I think it is going to be an interesting game because the Mexicans have shown in this tournament that they are a very solid side but we will continue to work towards this important semifinal game,” he concluded.

Speaking with FIFA.com, Orteaga said: “Nigeria is a very good team, and we will prepare ourselves better to face their excellent attack.”

Mexico alongside Mali are one the only teams in the competition yet to taste a defeat.

Mexico, 2011 champions, have scored ten goals so far, conceding just two while Nigeria team has scored 17 goals while letting in three goals with the competition’s top scorer, Victor Osimhen leading with eight goals.

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