By Chigozie Chukwuleta in Enugu
Buoyed by the unbiased support of the Enugu fans, the coach of Costa Rica U-17 Coach Juan Diego Samuels has expressed total confidence that his wads will move past Burkina Faso as both teams seek second position of the group D center at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium here today saying that the fans are his main motivator for now.
Samuels informed Africansportsdigest.com that he is happy with the support they received from fans in their previous matches despite having only a point to show for it.
“My players will not disappoint Enugu football fans who had supported us so well even as we’re going against an African side. If we play well and score goals the fans will support us”, he said.
His astute confidence stems from the Costa Rican U-20 team feat at the just concluded FIFA U-20 World Cup. The team lost their first game 0-5 and later moved further in the championship to be the fourth placed team.
“In a world cup you come to win but if you lose that does not signal an end to your dream. Costa Rica U-20 lost their first game 0-5 in Egypt but latter went through in the championship”
Commenting on Burkina Faso that is believed to be physically stronger, Coach Samuels said that physical aspect of football is in the mind pointing out that his team have prepared for the challenge. “Yes they are physically bigger than my players but the physical aspect of football is in the mind”
He said he has studied the Burkina Faso side just as they might have studied his side in preparation to this all important encounter. “This match is important for two of us but we have to keep up the pressure”
Coach Samuels explained that he do not intend to have the team dwell around Joel Campbell who was properly marked out in their game against Turkey but that he will introduce a formula that will make them win.