The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Golden Eaglets

  • Golden Eaglets return home Sunday

    Golden Eaglets return home Sunday

    The U-17 national team, Golden Eaglets will on Sunday arrive in Lagos after a three weeks training tour to Doha, Qatar.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the team’s spokesperson, Morakinyo Abodunrin on Saturday in Abuja.

    The team of 30 players and officials, the statement said would depart for Lagos aboard Qatar Airways.

    “The Golden Eaglets are due back in Nigeria on Sunday after undergoing a training tour of the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, Qatar.

    “A team of 30 players and officials including the Director, Technical of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Mr Emmanuel Ikpeme will depart for Lagos aboard Qatar Airways and will arrive Lagos about midday,’’ the statement said.

    It added that the team would depart for Morroco later in the week to participate in the U-17 African Youth Championship (AYC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Golden Eaglets are preparing for the 2013 edition of the AYC billed for Morocco from April 13 to April 27.

    During their stay in Doha, the Golden Eaglets won its two friendly matches by beating Aspire’s Under 18 team 7-1 and recorded a 1-0 win over former Asian Champions, Al Sadd Sports Club complete with former Spanish star, Raul Gonzalez.

    The statement quoted the team’s head coach, Mr Manu Garba as commending the NFA for the opportunity given to the team.

    “The tour of Doha is delightful and successful and now the team is battle-ready for the continental cadet competition.

    “We are so grateful to the NFA for organising this training tour for us, coming here has given us the opportunity to prepare well for the forthcoming competition.

    “We are focused on our objective to qualify for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in UAE as African champions and we want to come back to Aspire to prepare for the World Cup.

  • Golden Eaglets shine in six-goal thriller

    Golden Eaglets shine in six-goal thriller

    … Gov. Imoke, wife cheer team to resounding victory

    THE Golden Eaglets Saturday thrashed the Junior Menas of Niger 6-0 to secure a place in the next round of the 2013 African Under-17 qualifiers on a 10-1 aggregate score line.

    The Nigerian youngsters followed up their superb 4-1 away win in Niamey a fortnight ago with a flourish at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar much to the delight of everyone that saw the spectacle!

    The game was watched by a fairly large crowd including His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke, the Cross River State Governor, who was the special guest of honour, alongside his wife.

    The Eaglets gave the Governor and his large entourage plenty to cheer about, scoring four goals in the first half with their imitable style.

    The Nigerians were cautious but it was just a matter of time before their wall of defence would collapse as their Nigerian host were more purposeful.

    On a day the Eaglets’ strikers were shut out by their opponents, the stage was left for the others in the team to shine. Mid fielder Ifeanyi Matthew scored the curtain raiser in the 13th minute when he drilled the ball into the net off a fine pass from Alhassan Ibrahim. Defender Izu Omego and Captain Musa Mohammed scored theirs in the 24th and 29th minute respectively- both goals coming via corner kicks.

    While Izu fired a cracker into the net after the ball had evaded everyone in the box, Mohammed scored through a header.

    Tireless striker, Isaac Success, who is generally regarded as ‘Master Assist’ in the team finally came good on the night by scoring his first competitive goal for the Golden Eaglets.

    The boys from Niamey were even more cautious in the second half as they sat back in their half without having any foray into the Nigerian half. Yet the Golden Eaglets still meandered their way into the enemy’s territory and were rewarded with two goals, courtesy second-half substitute Musa Yahaya in the 85th minute, while Isaac was successful again minutes later for his second goal of the day to complete the total rout of Niger.

    Coach Manu Garba (MFR) said the team is still a work in progress despite the comprehensive 10-1 aggregate score line recorded by his wards.

    “We are happy with the goals but we are happier that we are through to the next stage of the championship,” Garba said afterwards.

    “We shall be ready for Guinea or any other team for that matter, we would savour this moment but we are yet to have an ideal team.

    “Work continues and by the grace of God, we shall qualify for both the African Under-17 Championship in Morocco and ultimately, the 2013 FIFA World Cup in UAE,” added Garba.