Protests trail NFF’s plan to transport Eaglets to Niamey by road

• Amuneke sure of  team’s success 

SOME stakeholders in Nigerian football Wednesday rose in protest over the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to transport the national Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, to Niamey, capital of Niger Republic, by road for the African Under-17 Championship, which kicks off on Sunday.

  The world champions are billed to leave Nigeria Thursday for Niger to take part in the African championship, which will also serve as qualifier for the FIFA U-17championship slated for Chile later in the year.

  Abuja-based sports journalist, Andrew Abba, told journalists Wednesday in Abuja that the NFF has no business taking the team to a zone that has become notorious with activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

  Abba wondered why the federation could not take a proactive measure by flying the team to Niamey to avoid any regrettable eventuality.

  He said a group of journalists in Abuja has already complained to the NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, to look into the situation ahead of time.

  “It is totally unacceptable for our young men to be subjected to the ugly experience of making a six-hour journey from Sokoto to Niamey through a route that no one can vouch for. It will not take the NFF anything to fly the team to the neighbouring country.

  “I stand to be contradicted that the board members, who will travel to Niamey, will all fly but they want the boys to go by road. Talking about preparation, it is surprising that the NFF has not given the present Golden Eaglets the type of support they gave to the last team that won the World Cup in 2013,” Abba regretted.

  The government of Niger Republic on Tuesday announced a 15-day curfew in the villages bordering Nigeria following attacks by the Boko Haram sect.

    However, the NFF has assured that the team’s security has not been compromised, saying that members of the Nigerian Army would provide security to the team. 

  Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets’ camp in Sokoto was a beehive  of activities yesterday as the technical crew, led by Emmanuel Amuneke, fine-tuned the squad ahead of their  possible departure Thursday for Niger Republic, where the African U-17 Championship kicks off this weekend. 

  Speaking with The Guardian Wednesday before the Eaglets’ final work out, Amuneke said his wards were ready to confront any team in Niger, adding that the team’s target was to win the cadet African championship. He disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has given his wards all the necessary  apparatus to make Nigerians proud in Niger.

  The former African Footballer of the Year called on football lovers in the country to support the team with prayers, saying that all hands must be on deck to ensure the Golden Eaglets’ successful outing in the championship.

  “The Eaglets are battle ready for the Championship. The boys have been given the best preparation to excel in the championship. With God on our side I believe the Eaglets would not disappoint Nigerians in Niger,’’ he said.

  Amadu said Wednesday in Abuja that the federation took the decision to camp the team in Sokoto because they share similar weather, adding that being there under the scotching sun has helped them acclimatize to the weather in Niger Republic.

  “We are confident that the 21 selected players will do Nigeria proud beginning with the opening game against Niger Republic on February 15. We know that they will record an outright victory over Niger even though they would face the challenges of confronting the home team. We are sure of getting to the semifinal when we play the first three matches which will guarantee Nigeria the ticket to World Cup in Chile.”

  “You know that we lost to Côte d’Ivoire two years ago in Marrakech, Morocco. Our target and objective this year is to go to Chile as Africa champions. Given the trainings and preparation giving to the team, we have no iota of doubt that they will not achieve that.”