The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has submitted a provisional 35-man list of the players to represent the country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup to the World Football governing body.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Media Officer of the U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, Morakinyo Abodunrin, on Thursday in Abuja from the team’s camp in Calabar, Cross River State.
The Golden Eaglets will participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 8.
According to the statement, the provisional list is part of the regulations of the championship and it is from the pool of players that the final list of 21 would eventually be picked.
The statement added that the list comprised key members of the team that won silver at the U-17 Africa Youth Championship in Morocco in April and others who were picked during a two-weeks open camping in Abuja.
It further quoted the team’s Coach, Manu Garba, as saying that the 35-man list selection was based on merit.
The statement quoted Garba as saying: “The list have been carefully selected based on merit and there is no longer opportunity to try out new players as the preparations for the World Cup is well underway.
“We want to use this opportunity to thank all the players who came around during the past few weeks to see if they can get the opportunity to be part of the team.
“We are happy with the calibre of players that we have selected with the confidence that we shall produce a formidable team for the World Cup.
“Of course, there is no room to see new players after the submission of the provisional list of 35 players to FIFA out of which we are going to pick the squad for the World Cup.
“We want to count on the support of Nigerians towards a successful outing at the World Cup and on our own part; we are going to do our best.”
Meanwhile, the NFA has enjoined Nigerians to give the Golden Eaglets’ and their officials the desired support.
NFA’s Chief Technical Officer, Siji Lagunju, was quoted as saying that the technical crew needs total concentration in order to build a team that the country would be proud of at the World Cup.
Lagunju said: “There is no doubt that serious work has begun following the submission of the provisional list to FIFA by the NFA and that means the coaches should not be distracted.
“We all need to support and give them the necessary encouragement so that the Golden Eaglets can do well at the World Cup.”
Trending
- Akwa Ibom to host blockchain summit
- Ekiti to recruit more doctors, health workers
- Worship for Change donates N36.75m to six charities to support orphan, children with special needs
- Rep Ibrahim appointed, replaces late Onanuga as Deputy Chief Whip
- Another PDP Rep, Amos Magaji dumps party, joins APC
- NAFDAC seals Idumota open drugs market
- Tinubu mourns renowned Dutch-Nigerian publisher, Joop Berkhout
- Court orders forfeiture of Keystone Bank controlling share to FG