The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Manu Garba as the head coach of the U-17 male team, the Golden Eaglets, 11 years after he guided them to the World Cup.
“The Board of Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former U17 World Cup winner Manu Garba as Head Coach of the Nigeria U17 boys, Golden Eaglets,” the football body said.
During his previous tenure, Garba guided the Golden Eaglets to win Nigeria’s fourth triumph at the U-17 World Cup stage.
Notable players from that squad include Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac Success, Musa Mohammed, Chidiebere Nwakali, and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu.
Garba’s appointment follows the team’s recent performance, where they finished as runners-up at the African U17 Championship in Morocco, after a penalty shootout defeat by Cote d’Ivoire.
The statement from the football body also highlights their impressive victories, including a 6-1 win against Mexico in the opening game and subsequent triumphs over Sweden, Iraq, Iran, Uruguay, and Sweden again in the final.
According to the statement, Garba will immediately resume his role and oversee the team’s preparations for the upcoming WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana next month.