Speaking on behalf of His Excellency at the practice pitch of U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, Cross River State on Saturday, Patrick Ugbe, the state’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, in company of the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Imoke, Jude Ngaji, said the Golden Eaglets have nothing to be afraid of against other contenders
Browsing: Manu Garba
Suleiman, who is the chairman of the NFF’s Referees Committee, said it was imperative that the team remains focussed on its objectives with the beginning of the World Cup around the corner, even as he enjoined the players to be up and doing
The ceremony for the draw was conducted by former CAF Secretary General, Mustapha Fahmy, at the Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in the United Arabs Emirate
The Garba Manu-tutored team will open their campaign against Mexico at the Al Ain stadium on October 19
The Golden Eaglets and three other African hope bearers -Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Morocco – and 20 other qualified countries will be drawn into six groups of four, with the top two teams in each group automatically qualifying for the round of 16
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 Nikah between Faiza Manu Garba and Muhammed Kabiru Ibrahim, who met at the School of Nursing in Gombe, is expected to hold at Mallam Usman Kafinta Mosque in Herwagana district in the ancient town
“Frankly, whatever happens, we should still be thankful to God since we didn’t bargain for this,” a philosophical Manu said. “We wanted to go back to Nigeria with the Cup and gold medal and we created many chances and if we had taken them today, the story would have been different.”
Success won the the Golden Boot for being the highest goal scorer of the tournament with six goals
Abdelhay, however, admitted that the Nigerians were stronger and deserved their place in the final
The surprise man of the match, was however Yahaya, who got a brace in the 11th and 58th minute of the game
The continental soccer governing body is strictly abiding with the regulations instituted by FIFA since 2011 that all knockout matches at the Under-17 level must progress straight to penalties if tied at the end of 90 minutes
Nigeria has won the CAN U-17 on two previous occasions in 2001 and 2007 and Alhaji Maigari believes this current team is on the threshold of history to extend the country’s record at this level by going all the way
The Eaglets are second on the Group B log with three points behind Cote d’Ivoire which has four
But after two weeks of conditioning and light training, Garba, in a frank discussion with the team on Sunday, said only fit and battle-ready players will be picked to represent the country at the forthcoming African Under-17 Championship to be hosted by Morocco in April
The erstwhile coordinator of the national Under-17 team commended the Golden Eaglets’ crew for breeding talented young players even as he advised the team to be focussed as they approach the final qualifying matches against Mali