‘We have made adequate arrangements for Eaglets’ successful campaign’

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Tuesday revealed its determination to ensure a successful campaign by the U-17 national team, Golden Eaglets, at the 11th African U-17 Championship in Niger Republic, saying it has actualized plans to make the team’s stay in that country comfortable.

   As part of this strategy, the NFF said its Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, was in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic last week to meet with prominent personalities within the Local Organizing Committee and officials of the Embassy of Nigeria.

   A statement by the NFF quotes Sanusi as saying; “I had meetings with the top officials of the local organizing committee of the championship, including the President of LOC, General Secretary of FENIFOOT and the Head of Competitions. Our meetings centred on accommodation and transportation of Team Nigeria during the championship, as well as accreditation of the Nigeria delegation, ticketing and other logistics.

   “I also met with the top people in the Embassy of Nigeria in Niamey, with particular emphasis on ticket issues.”

   It added that Dr. Sanusi also discussed with members of the local organizing committee of the 11th African Junior Championship on the movement of the Nigeria team into Niger Republic. 

   “Since they are having their final training camp in Sokoto, we are making arrangements for them to move into Niamey by road, and I have intimated the organizers and we have finalized on security arrangement for the team,” the statement said.

   The Nigeria team of 21 players, 10 officials and a number of administrative officials will depart Sokoto for Niamey tomorrow. The Eaglets will stay at the Hotel Royale Palace, with their first two matches (against host Niger Republic and Guinea) at the Stade General Seyni Kountche, while the last match (against Zambia) will take place at the Stade Municipal, which has artificial turf. 

 “The Nigeria community in Niger Republic is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Golden Eaglets, the world champions. They have promised to give the Eaglets maximum support to go all the way and win the African trophy, which will serve as a launch-pad towards retaining the FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Chile later this year,” the federation said.