Amuneke: Eaglets will avoid Chile ‘87 debacle

Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, said the unfortunate loss by the Flying Eagles 28 years ago in Concepción will be an added motivation to guard his team against defeat to the Baby El Tri of Mexico on Thursday.

The city of Concepción and Estadio Municipal was the venue where the country’s star-studded U-20 squad met their waterloo following a humiliating 4-0 loss to Brazil at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile in 1987.

Twenty -eight years after what was called the ‘Chile Debacle’ by the Nigerian media, the Golden Eaglets will be in Concepción yet again for a crunch semi-final match against Mexico at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015, with the winner playing the final match in Vina del Mar on Sunday.

Speaking to thenff.com, Amuneke said his team cannot afford to lose the game.

“Sincerely, I can’t remember anything about Chile 1987 and I don’t want to be bothered about that,” he said.

“But that said, we can’t afford to lose (at the same venue) to Mexico and this is an important game for us.”

Nigeria and Mexico have only met thrice at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the Baby El Tri claiming a 1-0 win in a group phase match at Canada 1987 while the Golden Eaglets had the upper hand twice in 2013, when they walloped the Mexicans 6-1 and 3-0 in the group phase and the championship’s Final Match respectively.

Amuneke reckons that the Golden Eaglets must, therefore, be at their best against the Baby El Tri who will be hard pressed to avenge their losses at the last tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

“The Mexicans are a very good side and their performance so far at Chile 2015 is an indication that they have a very solid structure back home,” he said.

“But we are working to ensure that the players are mentally ready for this big match.”

PAST ENCOUNTERS

July 16, 1987: Nigeria 0:1Mexico

October 19, 2013: Mexico 1:6 Nigeria

November 8, 2013: Nigeria 3:0 Mexico