Manu Garba admits U-20 task is more difficult

Flying Eagles manager, Manu Garba has admitted that playing at the U-20 level is tougher compared to the success he enjoyed at the U-17 level.

The Nigeria's national U-20 team were beaten 1-0 by their German counterparts in the round of 16 of this year's FIFA organised championship in New Zealand.

“I believe that our players learnt a lot from this game and a big lesson in general from the tournament.

“The level at U-20s is far higher than at U-17s and Germany are a very tough and highly tactical team,” Garba told fifa.com moments after the game.

The trainer however blamed “loss of concentration” for the goal scored by the Germans midway into the first half and had words of praise for goalkeeper, Joshua Enaholo who produced several world class saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

“Our players lost concentration at the crucial moment and this gave the Germans a chance to score.

Our goalkeeper played a great game though and may have saved that ball if he had a clear view, but there is nothing we can do now.

“All my players have been in great form and I am proud of them all.

“There have been so many unexpected results in this tournament, but one can never predict the winner. I give my thanks to New Zealand for showing love for our team, the people here have made us feel at home,” he said.