Coach Manu Garba has come under severe criticisms after his boys succumbed to a rather impressive Australian team in Brazil on Friday night.
The young Aussies claimed their first ever victory over Nigeria at the FIFA U17 World Cup with a fine 2-1 win to condemn Nigeria to their first defeat of the tournament.
Manu Garba, in charge when the Golden Eaglets claimed their fourth world title in 2013, masterminded two comeback victories over Hungary and then Ecuador but watched helplessly as his boys could not repeat the trick against the Joeys.
A brace from Hoffenheim’s Noah Botic earned Australia the maximum points that has boosted their chances of making it to the knockout rounds as one of the group stage’s third best losers.
However, fans took to social media site, Twitter, to express their displeasure in the work being done by coach Manu Garba.
Obviously, Manu Garba hasn't properly coached the offense-defence transition of this team. There seems so many spaces to exploit when they lose the ball.
— stefflon_sonia (@stefflon_soniaa) November 1, 2019
Manu Garba don collect egunje and fix all his aboki brothers there. Rubbish! Believe it or not Football in Nigeria belong to south easterners and south south
— Igbo Amaka Mehnn! (@Patty15565134) November 1, 2019
The problem of the team is not the players but the coach. They are good very good but just a bunch of individual glory hunters. Coach Manu Garba, these boys are not disciplined. 3 matches same issue. Australia no sabi ball pass us they are just well disciplined Crystal Palace.
— Moomeen Tourshaw (@seetoptendotcom) November 1, 2019
Obviously, Manu Garba hasn't properly coached the offense-defence transition of this team. There seems so many spaces to exploit when they lose the ball.
Also, the players have so much freedom in offense. They characteristically shoot at sight like members of SARS. #FIFAU17WC
— Oluwatobi Ogunsakin (@tobiogunsakin) November 1, 2019
Manu Garba needs to know that the four boys introduced today in order to rest the others first team player all fumbled. He needs to be careful of those who play in the round of 16. https://t.co/AB1DHfPjgc
— Abdulrahman Momoh (@abdulrahmanmom4) November 1, 2019
Manu Garba has just two training drill to do for these boys. Just two!! Accurate passing and team play.. No need for physical training.. Just those two that I mentioned. #AUSNGA
— Abayomi Owolarafe (@peerlessdave) November 1, 2019
Manu Garba what are you impacting on this boyz in training because you got bailed out by their individual brilliance in the first 2 games they are not defending nor maintaining their positions don’t be like Emery Olusegun should be dropped now #AUSNGA
— igbalode omoalhaja (@dyanmitebarry) November 1, 2019
Manu Garba game plan.
First 80 minutes: Fool around and let opponents score as much as possible.
Last 10 minutes: Equalize and win or die trying.
Thank God we qualified already. #AUSNGA
— Tudor (@bsiedoma) November 1, 2019
It all boils down to coaching tho. If Manu Garba likes he should fold his arms watching. https://t.co/fxWKqN70uo
— Seun Oreks (@TheSeunOreks) November 1, 2019
Manu Garba will have blood in his hands if these boys don’t get past the next round.
Talented bunch but no team work. #FIFAU17WC
— Seun Oreks (@TheSeunOreks) November 1, 2019
The whole team needs serious flogging.. Unnecessary shooting. Selfish play. Senseless dribbles. Manu Garba has a serious work to do.. No proper strikers. The whole team nah anywhere belle face. Our No7 Olusegun needs serious slap. The dude is just too selfish. #AUSNGA
— Sinaloa (@Wene_PH) November 1, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/nigeriaa2z/status/1190386752441257987
Best Nigerian player on the pitch is Amoo. However the coach is underutilising him today by asking him to stop dribbling and play one touch. Manu Garba is the problem of the team #AUSNGA
— kuskus (@haztola) November 1, 2019
The young chap you dropped and allow the DSS son to come on board will surely hunt this team . What a way to repay a young chap that was with the team from the day Dot.
Because the Delta born chap has no body to back him , you people dropped him and took only Northerners . Noting will come out from this team . Too shambolic and greedy . I pray you fail so as to learn your lessons .Their last display was utterly diabolical . Nonsense . You took only Northerners to a competition of such magnitude leaving raw talents at home because they got no godfather . Nigeria football would nose dive with people like you .
These boys are good but not the best we can offer. Manu is a good coach but politice and power from above is at work. Even if they survive group of 16 they are definitely not our best.