Golden Eaglets’ two-time FIFA World Cup-winning coach Manu Garba has received kudos for his meritorious work with Nigerian youngsters over the years.
Regarded as one of the best youth coaches ever with a string of awards and trophies, the 53-year-old Garba was rewarded yet again Saturday night with excellence award by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Arewarmu Duniyarmu Association of Nigeria in recognition of his ‘ contribution towards the growth and development of the game’ especially under his watch as coach of the Golden Eaglets.
“It was an amazing ceremony with people like Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, His Royal Highness the Emir of Gombe Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, Secretary to the Federal Government Boss Mustapha, Chief of Army Staff Search Tukur Buratai also getting awards and I’m really happy to be so recognised ,” explained Garba who will be 54 on December 31st. “ The award is actually from a Non- Governmental organization involving all the 19 Northern States of Nigeria and I’m happy that people still appreciate all what I have been doing over the years.”
Few Nigerian coaches can match Garba’s rich collection of medals including double Gold medal as FIFA U-17 World Cup winner at Korea 2007 and UAE 2013.He was also Gold medal winner at the 2001 Umbro International Football Championship in Manchester as well as the Gold medal of the 2015 AFCON U20 held in Senegal.
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This year, Garba’s Golden Eaglets stumbled at the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil when they were beaten 3-1 by The Netherlands in the Round of 16. But the double (OON and OFR) National Honour awardee said he was not perturbed amidst speculations that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) might not renew his contract as head coach of the national U-17 side.
“God Almighty is in charge of where I will be,” Garba retreated in his usual philosophical hue.“ I think it’s only Allah that will know where I will be.”