Manu Garba Press Conference : Every Word On Golden Eaglets, Goal Conceded, Semifinal Approach, Uganda, Facing Cameroon

The Golden Eaglets have reached the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations and also qualified for the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup by virtue of playing out a 1-1 draw with Uganda on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Manu Garba attended the post-match conference after the game at the Chamazi Stadium, Mbagala, and here's what he told the media present.

Coach Manu Garba, congratulations for qualifying for the semifinals and the World Cup. Basically, do you believe your players followed your tactics because at one point you were trailing Uganda who played extremely well?

First I thank God Almighty for qualifying for the semifinals and the World Cup which is our first objective.

I must say that it was a highly tactical game, the Ugandans played well but looking at the chances created, we created more chances than the Ugandans. Our boys lost concentration to concede, that's carelessness.

The last man would have headed the ball away but these are young boys, they will always make clumsy mistakes at times.

I must say the Ugandans gave a good account of themselves, they were just lucky not to have conceded more goals.

For Manu Garba, first of all congratulations for finishing at the top of Group A and you are now going to the semifinals, playing three consecutive games without losing. How will you assess your performance so far and do you think this will aid your performance in the semifinal?

Well I think my boys played so well, and I must thank them for not losing in three matches but I think the boys have not reached their form. They are just trying to pick up match by match.

I had five first team players who had their first international match when we played Tanzania, so they are just trying to get their confidence into the tournament.

I must say the semifinal is going to be a different ball game entirely because it is going to be highly tactical. We intend to see whoever we are playing so that we can map out the strategies to make sure we get into the final.

I must say that I am very grateful to the players for getting seven points out of the maximum nine. Thank you.

Coach Manu congratulations. In the semifinals, you are going to meet Cameroon, they are a very strong team. How are you going to prepare your boys for that challenge, knowing your team play more of the technical passing. Cameroon are very physical, very direct. How are you going to adjust to that challenge?

You said that they are top of the group? The first team in each group don't play each other but no matter what if you want to win a tournament, you should be prepared to face any team.

Cameroon are a team that are very physical, so we know how to deal with them. Like my colleague said, I believe that technically we can outwit the Cameroonians.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel