U-17WC: Maigari wants Golden Eaglets to remain focussed

Alhaji Aminu Maigari, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),
has told the Golden Eaglets to remain steadfast on giving their best
at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Nigerian football has witnessed huge boom under the watch of Maigari
especially with the qualification of the Golden Eaglets for the
African cadet championship in Morocco for the first time since 2007
from where the youngsters eventually secured a berth to the World Cup
since Nigeria hosted in 2009.

“You guys should please just do your best for the country and we know
what this team is capable of doing,” Maigari said in a telephone
conversation even as he asked after the general welfare of the team at
their Dubai training camp.”I want to believe everything is going well
in camp as well as the training schedule.

” We have absolute confidence in this team and all Nigerians
including President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR),want you to go out there
and give your best,” added Maigari who is eagerly being expected in
the UAE to support the team.

Incidentally, Maigari’s early morning goodwill message coincided with
recording of a routine video with Eaglets striker, Kelechi Iheanacho
who in turn pledged the team’s unflinching commitment in the UAE.

“Everything is on course with our preparations here in Dubai and by
the special grace of God, we shall be ready for the World Cup
challenge,” said Iheanacho, five-goal scorer at CAN U-17 last April.”
Our coaches have been telling us to keep our calm and be focussed.

“My teammates and I have been waiting for this opportunity; and we
know we are privileged to be picked by the coaches.

“We are being trained to handle the pressure and we want to assure
Nigerians that we are going to be ready for the World Cup,” added
Iheanacho as he looked forward to a dream partnership with Success
Isaac. “There is no rivalry between Success and I as we are all united
in this team and I want to assure Nigerians that we are going to give
our best effort.”

Ambassador’s emissary at Eaglets’ training Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency, Ibrahim Auwalu, has commended the Golden Eaglets for keeping pace with their training programme in Dubai as they fine tune preparations ahead
of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The Ambassador on Wednesday sent an emissary in person of Mr. Edward
Kogbara to watch the team’s on-going training at the Higher Colleges
of Technology located within the Dubai Academic City.

Speaking on behalf of the Ambassador, a visibly impressed Mr.
Kogbara reiterated that the Embassy was doing everything humanly
possible to ensure unwavering support for the team at this
championship.

“The Ambassador is unavoidably absent at your training this evening
because of other engagements but the message from him is that: you
should keep working hard until the battle is won,”said Kogbara who is
the chair of a special committee for the Golden Eaglets. ” We want to
assure you that the embassy is mobilizing Nigerians from all parts of
the UAE to come and support you during all the matches as such you
should feel at home.”

Drawing inspiration from a Biblical injunction, Kogbara further told
the players that obedience is better than sacrifice, adding that they
would be victorious if they listen and apply all what they are being
taught by the coaches.

It was learnt that the embassy would soon take delivery of 450 mini
flags, 450 Caps and 300 jerseys for the Nigerians fans. About 1000
ticket would also be purchased for Nigerian studying in various
Higher institutions.

On hand to also witness, the Golden Eaglets training Wednesday is Mr.
Kenneth Anyi who incidentally is a lecturer at the Faculty of English
at the Higher Colleges of Technology.

“I’m so happy to see you guys here,” said Anyi who is the only
Nigerian lecturer at the 26-year-old institution.”Actually, it was my
students that told me some Nigerians are training on our premises
and I want to wish you the best in this competition.”

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