Emmanuel Amuneke predicts tough encounter with Australia for his Golden Eaglets

The head coach of the Nigeria U-17 national team, Emmanuel Amuneke, has expressed his respect for their round of 16 opponents, Australia.

Australia, who advanced from the tournaments supposed group of death, Group D) where they lost 4-1 to Germany, drew goalless with Mexico and edged Argentina 2-1, are to face their Nigeria counterparts, who finished top of their group with 2 wins and 1 lost.

And speaking on the fourth coming match, the Nigeria U-17 National team coach, Amuneke, has expressed his teams readiness to face the Aussy.

"We have been looking forward to the team we are going to play and today (Sunday), we realized it would be Australia.

"At this stage, everybody that has qualified must be respected,” Amuneke, said.

“They (Australia) are a very good side because, we saw their match against Argentina.

"They are a very good side and we have to respect them.”

Nigeria, in the history of the competition, have not lost a second round match. Meanwhile Australia, were beaten 4-0 by Uzbekistan in their last Round of 16 appearance at Mexico 2011.

Yet, Amuneke insisted the Golden Eaglets must be at their best as Chile 2015 enters the knockout stages.

“We have to keep working hard and prepare our players physically and psychologically for the match (against Australia) especially after losing our last group match to Croatia.

"We have to let the players realize that the stage we are in now is crucial and it needs high level of concentration from them.

“It is a welcome development (Eaglets versus Australia) and before Wednesday, we would evaluate our players and see their state of mind but hopefully, all of them would be ready to play on Wednesday,” Amuneke assured.