Manu Garba must fix Flying Eagles’ defensive flaws to progress - Etim Esin

 

The ex-international has advised the Nigeria U20 technical crew to resolve their defensive problems should they crave to reach the 2015 Fifa U20 World Cup second round

Former Nigeria midfielder, Etim Esin has urged the Flying Eagles to find quick solutions to their defensive flaws if they hope to make it out of the group phase.

Manu Garba’s team will hope to bounce back to winning ways against North Korea on Thursday morning after losing 4-2 to Brazil on Monday, but the 48-year-old insists the Flying Eagles must avoid their poor defensive shows in subsequent games.

"We didn't underrate Brazil, we tried out best. This is football, the opening games will always be difficult. I think the coach should focus [on North Korea] and correct various mistakes in the defeat to Brazil," Esin told Goal.

"It's up to the coach to win the next games and forget the defeat to Brazil. He must win the remaining two games and do the right things to get out of the group stages.

"At this age category, we have not beaten Brazil before, remember we lost badly against them back in 1987 in Chile despite playing very well," he continued.

"The Flying Eagles tried, but their effort was not good enough. Brazil is a more quality team and we can't take that away from them.

"I hope in the next two matches, we can get results to qualify to the next round. If we must go far in this competition, we must take care of our defensive flaws because conceding four goals in a match is not good enough," he concluded.

Midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho and striker Isaac Success could be dropped to the bench for Nigeria's second game against Korea DPR at the Fifa U20 World Cup in New Zealand on Thursday.

Both started in the 2-4 loss to Brazil on Monday morning but coach Manu Garba is expected to make changes to his starting line up when they face the Asians, according to a report by Africanfootball.com.