It was a pleasant surprise for players and officials of Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, when the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, watched their training session at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Monday.
After watching the team’s final training session before their departure for Burkina Faso, Olopade charged the players, tutored by head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere, to excel at the WAFU B U-17 Championship, which begins this weekend in the Burkinabe capital.
“A great opportunity has been given to you all as young footballers to represent Nigeria at the U-17 national team level. It is therefore very important for you to do well and excel,” Olopade said.
“This is football, which falls directly under the NFF, but as the Director-General of the NSC, with football and other sports under my supervision, I am here to encourage you to take the task ahead very seriously.
“The government and people of Nigeria want you to succeed at the WAFU B U-17 Championship, and I can assure you that you will be graciously rewarded at the end. The aim is to qualify for the U-17 AFCON tournament and thereafter, the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year.”
Nigeria last featured at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in 2019, when the tournament was hosted by Brazil.
Olopade expressed confidence that the Golden Eaglets would deliver a strong performance and secure qualification for the continental tournament.
“I am very optimistic that this team will not disappoint Nigerians. So, play according to what you have learnt under the head coach, and I strongly believe that you will perform very well and qualify for the U-17 AFCON,” he added.
