Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, was full of praise for the passionate Sokoto football fans as well as Fasbir Integrated Football Academy despite losing 4-1 to the Nigeria’s Under-17 team at the Giginya Memorial Stadium in Sokoto on Wednesday.
The former African Footballer of the Year said he was impressed with the large turnout of the fans at the match as well as the spirited play of the fledging academy owned by Mallam Muhammed Nasiru Saidu, the Chairman of Sokoto State Football Association and the Assistant Director, Legislative Budget at the National Assembly.
“First and foremost, we want to thank the people of Sokoto for their hospitality and support to us since the first day we arrived here,” Amuneke stated. “Our appreciations also go to the Sultan, the government and ordinary fans who are wishing us well as we travel to Niger for the African Under-17 championship.”
Speaking further, Amuneke said the youngsters from Fasbir have nothing to be ashamed of because they put up a brave performance against the Niamey-bound Golden Eaglets.
“Personally, I’m taking some positives from this match since it allowed us to see how much we have adapted to the weather in Sokoto, which is almost the same we are going to meet in Niamey,” he noted. “I must also commend Fasbir because this is about the best academy we have played. I don’t want to single out a particular player but collectively, I like them because this is what a model academy should be.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets made of 21 players and 10 officials would depart Sokoto for Niamey on Thursday to seek glory at the 11th African U-17 Championship slated to hold between February 15 and March.
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