Coach Emmanuel Amuneke wants to avoid a repeat of the 1987 Fifa Under 20 World Cup heartache and fancies the Golden Eaglets chances of beating Mexico in the semi - final of the Fifa Under 17 World Cup tonight in Concepción.
The Flying Eagles class of 1987, who have been touted to be one of the best youth teams in the history of Nigerian football, and had in their ranks the likes of Etim Esin, Jonathan Akpoborie and Ladi Babalola were humiliated 4 - 0 by Brazil at Estadio Municipal, Concepción.
Amuneke, who was aged 16 years, 9 months and 16 days when that game took place , said to thenff.com : “Sincerely, I can’ t remember anything about Chile 1987 and I don’ t want to be bothered about that,”
“But that said, we can’ t afford to lose (at the same venue) to Mexico and this is an important game for us.”
The Golden Eaglets have only been defeated once by Mexico at this level in a competitive fixture, while they have won two games.