By: Gracious Akujobi
The Golden Eaglets have arrived Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state from their Calabar camp ahead of key friendly matches as they intensify preparations towards the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.
A team of 33 players and eight officials Coach Manu Garba, Tayo Egbaiyelo (Team Secretary) and Captain Musa Muhammed who travelled to Abu Dhabi for the Official World Cup Draw, landed in Uyo at midday on Sunday accompanied by Mr. Greg Abang, the secretary of the Cross River Sate Football Association.
The trip was at the instance of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) since Calabar would be a beehive of activities this week with the hosting of this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference at TINAPA Business Resort In Calabar.
Officials said it was very important that the national Under-17 team continue their preparations towards the World Cup without any atom of distraction hence the need to travel to Uyo-which incidentally was carved out of the present Cross River State-for friendly matches.
“It is part of our obligation to provide the enabling environment for the Golden Eaglets to have their training sessions without any hindrance at any given time,” affirmed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme. But, we find it expedient to move the team to Uyo because Cross State is hosting the NBA conference this week.”
While in Uyo, the Golden Eaglets are expected to play at least one friendly match with a local-based team.
Meanwhile, Eaglets Assistant coach Nduka Ugbade has said that the coach Manu-led team would emulate what the Nigerian Under-17 teams did in the past by winning the world cup in an Asian country.
The Asian continent has been a blessing to the Nigeria as the Golden Eaglets have won three times winning in China 1985,Japan in 1993 and Korea in 2007.
Ugbade, a member of the squad that won the maiden edition in 1985 is optimistic that with little luck with the draws and divine providence these Eaglets can win in Dubai.
He however, said that though the recent MRI Scan test has depleted the team, the coaches have been working hard to produce a strong squad for the World cup in Dubai adding that the plan is to win the trophy.
“Playing is Asia has been very good for the Eaglets and I think that luck will follow us to win the cup in Dubai”
“The boys are responding well to what we are trying to teach and I believe we shall be ready before the world cup. The new boys would blend with the old ones after playing some friendly matches before the tournament” he opined
