By: Gracious Akujobi The National Under-17 team has arrived safely at the City of Al-Ain which is part of the Abu-Dhabi Emirate four days before they open their account at the 2013 FIFA World Cup in the UAE. The team embarked on the 98km journey from Dubai by luxury bus and got to their new home at Al-Ain Dinat Resort Hotel which also hosts other teams in Group F.
On hand to receive the team were officials of the Local Organising Committee and officials of Nigeria’s Embassy led by Edward Tamtam Kogbara, Minister (Protocol and Economic Matters): Mr. Paul Onwuemene amongst others.
Immediately on arrival, Coach Manu Garba joined other representatives from Sweden, Iraq and Mexico in a formal welcome ceremony organised by the Local Organising Committee. The quartet jointly cut a huge cake as the camera clicked away.
“They have put us (Nigeria) in the top right corner on the cake and by the grace of God, we shall come out on top of this group,” coach Manu said.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets as well as their officials have received a certificate of participation in the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 during the Team Arrival Meeting held within the Hotel Premises.
FIFA Officials were on ground to cross check passports for the process of accreditation at the end of which all the players were certified okay.
In the meantime, the Golden Eaglets would train twice on Pitch 3 at the Khalifa Bin Zayed stadium on Wednesday; with the morning session fixed for 9:00am local time( 6:00pm Nigerian time) while the evening’s would hold at 4:00pm.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Denan Sport Service, Nabil Mejri on Monday night held a get-together for the Golden Eaglets with a clarion call on the youngsters to rule the world at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.
Denan Sport Service managed by the Tunisian, organised an inch-perfect tour for the Nigerian U-17 Team ahead of the World Cup which kick off on Thursday with the first match between favourites, Brazil and Slovakia in Abu Dhabi.
At the brief ceremony which lasted 30 minutes after dinner, Mejri said he has the confidence in the ability of the Golden Eaglets to go all the way at the World Cup after watching the professional manner the team conducted itself during the two-week training camp in
Dubai.
“ I hope we shall be able to have a bigger party at the end of the championship on November 8,” said Mejri before the small matter of cutting a big cake designed like a football pitch and decorated in the green and white colours of Nigeria.“I’m confident that you can do
it.”
Golden Eaglets’ administrator, Mr. Tayo Egbaiyelo described the gesture of Denan Sport Service as instructive which is a morale booster to the team as the country seek a fourth FIFA under-17 World Cup title.
He described Mejri as a forward-looking young man that is very good at his job: “I wish everybody can do their work like Mr. Mejri because he provided us with first class service throughout our stay in Dubai and we are ready to make him proud of us at this championship.”
