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We Won't Disappoint China: Nigerian Coach
We won't disappoint China, said Nigerian coach Uzuwa M. Emmauel after the Africans' 5-1 defeat to Mexico in a Group A match of the 21st University Students Games men's soccer on Thursday.
"We won't disappoint China," Emmauel said after apologizing for late arrival and attributing the disappointing result to fatigue of the side, who arrived the night before the match. "We are going to play our last match against England (Britain) and I assure you that you will see the difference."
The Nigerians' trip to China had been halted in Johannesburg, South Africa for four days before arriving Beijing Wednesday night via China's Hong Kong, the coach said.
"I apologize for not playing China in the first match because we were looking forward to play," he said. "Unfortunately, there was no flight to come here."
"We have been stayed in South Africa for four days and we arrived here in Beijing yesterday night."
Nigeria's first match against China was cancelled because of their "delayed arrival" and the hosts were awarded a 3-0 victory.
"China is our second home because of the love of China for Nigeria. We have all the support of China and the Chinese Students competitions and we are very happy for the support they gave us." Emmauel said.
"We are a very good side, we prepared very well. But the players arrived late, the fatigue was on the team and we have to play the match without training."
"The fatigue was with the players and they could not play well this evening. That's why you see the team has been beaten 5-1."
"We have taken advantage of them," said Mexican head coach Juan Manvel Calderon. "It's very lucky to beat such a strong team."
Nigeria is to play Britain on Saturday while China take on Mexico in the final round group matches.
Sixteen squads are competing in four groups with top two finishers qualifying for the quarter-finals.
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