The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged the technical crew of the Golden Eaglets to remain steadfast in their bid to build a virile team to qualify the country for the 2015 CAN Under-17 Championship
even as Nigeria seek to defend her 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup title.
Speaking to officials and players after Friday’s penalty-shoot out loss to Benin at the WAFU B Tournament, Yussuf Fresh, a board member of the NFF said he was satisfied that the team gave its best
but for ill luck in the crunch semi-final match.
“I want to tell from the bottom of my heart that you did well despite the fact that you didn’t beat Benin,” said fresh, the leader of delegation to Togo.” At least, this tournament has given you the opportunity to know areas that you need to work on as you prepare the team for the coming African qualifiers.”
He equally advised the players to concentrate on their third-place match against Mali on Sunday in order to have something to show for their good efforts at the tournament.
He said: “There is still something to play for on Sunday and I want you to give out your best in the third place match. The NFF’s President, Aminu Maigari as well as Nigerians would be so glad
if you can go home with at least the bronze medal.”
Fresh further reassured the technical crew of NFF’s continuous support to the team, adding that they should remain focused.
“As I told you earlier, the NFF is not going to interfere in your work in as much as you are doing the right thing and I would therefore, want you to be focused since the African qualifiers is just around the corner,” he noted.
Similarly, former international and special assistant to Maigari on technical matters, Mr. Patrick Pascal equally commended the players and officials, advising them to remain calm despite the
setback at the WAFU B Tournament.
“My advice to you is to look ahead because you can’t change the result against Benin and I want to plead with you the players especially not to start blaming yourselves,” he stated. “Your objective should be how
to qualify for the completion in Niger and the World Cup and I believe strongly that you will make it.”
…As team eyes bronze medal
Prince Udofia, the mercurial Golden Eaglets’ coordinator, believes the Nigerian youngsters would shake off their Friday’s semi-final loss to Benin when they meet Togo in the third-place play off at the WAFU B
Under-17 Tournament in Togo on Sunday.
The game would be decided at 3:00pm local time (4:00pm Nigerian time) at the Stade Municipal before the finale between Benin and Mali.
Reviewing Eaglets’ shock penalty shoot-out loss, Udofia maintained that it was Nigeria and not Benin that should be meeting Mali in the final but for some questionable officiating.
The Golden Eaglets were the only team that did not lose a game in regulation time in the competition as they spanked Mali 2-0 in their Group B double-header and Udofia is confident that the boys would be
back and better against Togo.
“I want to believe that our boys would respond well against Togo on Sunday because they were so pained about way they lost in the semi-final to Benin,” he said. “They have been advised by (Yussuf) Fresh and Mr. (Patrick) Pascal; and I think this would spur them against Togo.”
The Golden Eaglets in the meantime, trained on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s match and officials are confident they would be ready for the final assault against hosts, Togo who lost 4-0 in the other semi-final
on Friday.
