By Abayomi Ademetan
Golden Eaglets head coach, Manu Garba has revealed the team’s plans ahead of the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup scheduled to hold in Brazil from October 26 to November 17.
The Eaglets who face Hungary in their opening match on October 26 also have Ecuador and Australia to contend with in the group stage.
“I have shortlisted the boys who will leave for Brazil, but presently we are still awaiting the results of the MRI test before we move for the training tour,” the coach said at an interview session attended by Futbalgalore.com on Saturday.
The five-time World champions will be heading to Sao Paulo on Wednesday to complete their last lap of preparation for the tourney.
“We are going for the final phase of preparation at Sao Paulo in Brazil. Over there, we have drawn a program which involves three friendly matches and we will be playing one of the best teams in Brazil that’s Sao Paulo FC, then South Korea and Japan as well.
“The three friendlies will helps us properly ascertain our 21-man list though we have an idea already, going by the FIFA rules guiding the competition, every list should be submitted on or before the last ten days to kick off of the competition. Most importantly the three matches will certainly prepare the team very well.
“Sao Paulo FC has been known over time for their pedigree in football having produced players like the legendary Pele of Brazil and others. Like I said, the three matches will help us expose the boys more, so we can do the needful after the matches. We will correct visible lapses and errors noted that can affect us negatively before our first match on the 26th of this month,” he concluded.