The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed on Friday that a team of 30 players and 10 officials will depart for Germany aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight from Abuja on Wednesday
Browsing: Flying Eagles
The players are Wilfred Ndidi (Genk, Belgium), Moses Simon (Gent, Belgium), Isaac Success (Granada, Spain) and Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England)
They will play all their first round matches at the 46,000-capacity Yarrow Stadium, formerly known as Stadium Taranaki, in New Plymouth beginning with their opening group game against Brazil on June 1
It was gathered that the Nigeria Football Federation opted for Germany so as to engage some top German sides in friendly games in order to toughen the players and get them fit for the competition
Muhammed is joined in the defence by Souleymane Diarra (Mali), Mouhameth Sane, while Akinjide Idowu, Sidy Sarr (Senegal), Alassane Diallo (Mali), Ibrahima Wadji (Senegal) and Manchester City and Ghanian wonder kid, Yaw Yeboah, would marshal the midfield
They were received by the management and staff of the NFF, led by General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi
The source revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation’s Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, ensured that the backlog of camp allowances and bonuses were offset to boost the players morale
The four African representatives for the tournament learnt their fate for the fiesta on Monday, following the draw conducted in Dakar, Senegal
Shortly after their victory over the Junior Lions of Senegal, the African Champions left the stadium for the Leopoldo Sedar Senghor Airport to board an Arik Airline flight headed for Lagos and then transit to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
With thunderous cheers from crowd at the arena, the Flying Eagles started the tension soaked match on a strong note with effort at curtailing the Junior Lions from fast breaks as both sides struggle hard for the African U20 crown
“They are taller and we would battling against about 57,000 cheering supporters and the team, while Nigeria could only have about 3,000 at the stadium, but our team are prepared for the mental battle, so would be ready for all these in the final
The members of the team were treated to both Nigerian and continentals dishes, just as Nigeria’s hit songs were dished out at the background at the Embassy located at Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar
‘Les Lionceaux’ plotted one of the biggest upsets easing past favourites Mali, who prior to the encounter had an enviable record of being the only side with a 100 per cent record at the competition
After a hard-fought derby against rivals, Ghana, on Wednesday, the Flying Eagles observed Thursday as a free day as they went on a sight-seeing tour of Dakar
The Flying Eagles will meet the winners of Senegal and Mali second semifinal match in the final match on Sunday
The Mountain of Fire and Miracle FC safest pair of hands was issued the marching order in the national U20’s 4-1 win over the Junior Red Devils of Congo in the group stage of the competition
“No, we’re not the favourites. We’re just like the other teams who have qualified for the semifinals,” said Ugbade, who as a player has represented Nigeria at U17, U20 and full international levels
The rivalry between the two countries is spanning almost six decades and will come to the fore again as Sellas Tetteh leads his Black Satellites against Manu Garba’s Flying Eagles in what is surely a match of fire power
The Manu Garba lad perfected their penalty kicks in case of eventualities in the game against their eternal foes, Ghana
The Malians beats the Black Satellites of Ghana by a lone goal at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour and they have the hosts, Senegal, who snatched the second place in Group A, to do battle with in the last four of the tournament