Tag: Eaglets

Four Scandinavian referees comprising three from Norway and the other from Denmark would oversee Golden Eaglets’ first match at the 2013 UAE FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be played at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium today at 17:00 hours local time-2:00pm in Nigeria.

No-nonsense Norwegian referee, Svein Oddvar Moen who sent off Mario Balotelli in a World Cup qualifying game between Czech Republic and Italy as recent as June 7th, 2013 will be in charge at the centre.

The 34-year-old Moen became an international referee in 2005; and he officiated at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted and won by Mexico.

He has equally officiated at the top level of European football including the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg between Real Madrid and Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last year.

His compatriots Kim Haglund and Frank Andes would serve as Assistant referee 1 and 2 respectively and the cast is completed with Danish Ken Hansen who is the Fourth Official. Match Commissioner is Mr, Campbell Ogilvie who is the President of the Scottish Football Association

While Nigeria will wear a white gear complete with green socks, Mexico would be wearing black jerseys with red socks. Nigeria’s goalkeeper would be in a red outfit with white stockings while his opposing Mexican would wear yellow with black stockings.

Reading telecommunications operator , Globacom, has tasked the Golden Eaglets to represent Nigeria with sparkling brilliance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup which kicks-off on Friday in United Arab Emirates.

The national cadet team will compete alongside Mexico, Sweden and Iran in Group F in the bi-annual competition.

“The Golden Eaglets’ coaching crew and players have prepared very hard for this competition and we expect them to do well,” said Globacom in a statement released in Lagos on Thursday.

The Golden Eaglets will face Mexico in the Group F opening match today.

“The fact that the team has stayed together for a long time should also serve as an added advantage for the Eaglets to shine on this world stage.

”In addition, the remarkable history of Nigeria in the competition should propel the team to win the cup for a record fourth time.”

The telecommunications company enjoined the Eaglets’ coaching crew led by Manu Garba to evolve a winning formula against the formidable Mexicans, as well as the Swedes and Iran who are also capable of springing surprises.

”At this level, any team can outshine the other and we expect the Eaglets to be wary of the opposition,” the statement further said, while urging Nigerians to give the team hundred percent support.

Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official telecommunications sponsor of the national teams.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are set to kick off their campaign at the 2013 FIFA U-17 world cup in UAE as the tournament kicks-off this weekend.

President of the Nigeria football federation, Aminu Maigari has assured Nigerians that all preparations have been fully taken care of and the team is ready to challenge the rest of the world for the trophy.

“I must say to every Nigerian that we are fully prepared, the technical crew led by Manu Garba is up and doing and every other stakeholder is committed to ensure that we deliver”

The Golden Eaglets’ are set to start their campaign on the 19th of October against Mexico who are the defending champions.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency, Ibrahim Auwalu, has commended the Golden Eaglets for keeping pace with their training programme in Dubai as they fine tune preparations ahead of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

The Ambassador on Wednesday sent an emissary in the person of Mr. Edward Kogbara to watch the team’s on-going training at the Higher Colleges of Technology located within the Dubai Academic City.

Speaking on behalf of the Ambassador, a visibly impressed Mr. Kogbara reiterated that the Embassy was doing everything humanly possible to ensure unwavering support for the team at this championship.

“The Ambassador is unavoidably absent at your training this evening because of other engagements but the message from him is that: you should keep working hard until the battle is won,”said Kogbara who is the chair of a special committee for the Golden Eaglets.

“We want to assure you that the embassy is mobilising Nigerians from all parts of the UAE to come and support you during all the matches, so you should feel at home.”

Drawing inspiration from a Biblical injunction, Kogbara further told the players that obedience is better than sacrifice, adding that they would be victorious if they listen and apply all what they are being taught by the coaches.

It was learnt that the embassy would soon take delivery of 450 mini-flags, 450 Caps and 300 jerseys for the Nigerians fans. About 1000 ticket would also be purchased for Nigerian studying in various higher institutions.

On hand to also witness, the Golden Eaglets training Wednesday was Mr. Kenneth Anyi who incidentally is a lecturer at the Faculty of English at the Higher Colleges of Technology.

“I’m so happy to see you guys here. Actually, it was my students that told me some Nigerians are training on our premises and I want to wish you the best in this competition,” said Anyi who is the only Nigerian lecturer at the 26-year-old institution.

The friendly match between the Golden Eaglets and First Best Farmers (FBF) was postponed due to heavy downpour in the city of Calabar.

All things being equal, the match will be played at the practice pitch of the U.J Esuene Stadium today at 8am.

As previously arranged, the Golden Eaglets’ coaching staff would be available for interviews from the sporting media after the match.

FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP

Ex-international, Pascal Patrick has expressed confident that the Golden Eaglets will live up to expectation when the U – 17 World Youth Championship gets under way in the UAE in October.

Pascal in an exclusive interview with SportingLife after the Golden Eaglets were drawn along side cup holders Mexico, Iraq and Sweden in Group F which took place on Monday evening at the Al Saqr conference suite at Fairmont Bab El Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhahi.

“Pitching the Eaglets against reigning champion, Mexico will be dificult but am very sure Eaglets will make it out of the group.

“Sweden and Iraq wont be a problem but we must approach every game with all seriousness.

“The Golden Eaglets are playing good football so the confident is there but they must remain focused if they aim at achieving a very good result at the end of the championship.”

The Golden Eaglets who last won the cadet championship in 2007 will begin its quest on 17th of October with a game against Mexico.

“There should be no sentiment on the side of the technical crew in selecting the right players and concentrate very well in putting up a team that will go for the trophy. I know the Eaglets will surprise people,” Pascal maintained.

The Golden Eaglets have arrived in Uyo, the capital of neighbouring Akwa Ibom State from their Calabar camp ahead of key friendly matches as they intensify preparations towards the 2013 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A team of 33 players and eight officials minus Coach Manu Garba (MFR); Tayo Egbaiyelo (Team Secretary) and Captain Musa Muhammed, who travelled to Abu Dhabi for the Official World Cup Draw, landed in Uyo at midday on Sunday accompanied by Greg Abang, the secretary of the Cross River Sate Football Association.

Nigeria will know their first round opponents at the FIFA U17 World Cup today, when the draw takes place in Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi.

FIFA, in conjunction with the Higher Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2013, has invited chief coach Manu Garba, team captain Musa Mohammed and the team’s administrator, Tayo Egbaiyelo, for the draw.

The Golden Eaglets including 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.

The four best third-placed teams from the group stages will also progress to the knockout stages.

Nigeria have one of the best records at the U-17 level after they were crowned world champions on three previous occasions, 1985, 1993 and 2007.

They were also runners-up on three other previous occasions – 1987, 2001 and 2009.

Nigeria last featured at this tournament in 2009.