Ahead of the August 26 Official Draw of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held Fairmont Bab Al Bahr hotel in Abu Dhabi, coach Rashid Amir of the host country, United Arab Emirates is not relishing the prospect of being grouped along with the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria in the preliminary stage.
Nigeria is among a pool 24 strong countries including Brazil, and that has qualified for the 15th edition of the global youth fiesta and Amir has tipped the Golden Eaglets as one of the favourites.
“Despite the difficulty of the task that lies ahead, we would like to reach the semi-finals, ” Amir recently told the FIFA’s website, adding that the coach Manu Garba(MFR)-tutored Golden Eaglets would be hard to beat: “They’re (Nigeria) one of the best teams at this year’s tournament, with very physically strong players.
And we can’t forget Brazil, who will be one of the favourites.”
Incidentally, the Golden Eaglets have the best record in the annals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Championship with three titles and three runners ups medals.
They are closely followed by Brazil with three titles and two runner ups. Cup holders, Mexico along with Ghana (who missed out of this year’s event following their failure at the African elimination in April) have won the tournament twice.
The 24 teams who earned their berth at UAE 2013 will be divided into six groups of four at the Official Draws next month and the top two from each section will automatically advance to the Round of 16, along with the four third-placed teams with the best records.
Coach Garba in the meantime, has reiterated that his wards would be gunning for the title, adding that the primary objective of attending a championship is to be crowned champions.
Said: “We are determined to do well at the World Cup in the UAE and we would do all within our capacity to be crowned champions.
“Of course, we know it is not going to be easy but we are going to give it our best shot,” noted Garba who assisted late coach Yemi Tella to wrought Nigeria’s 2007 Wold Cup-winning team in 2007.
Showing posts with label FIFA U-17 World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA U-17 World Cup. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Friday, 12 July 2013
Imoke rescues cash-strapped NFF again
BY JACOB AJOM
Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has again come to the rescue of cash-strapped Nigeria Football Federation as his government has agreed to foot the bills for the camping of the national U-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets ahead of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. As a result the Eaglets are expected to resume camping in Calabar immediately.
[caption id="attachment_78455" align="alignright" width="288"]
Gov Imoke of Cross River[/caption]
An NFF delegation led by the first Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh met with Governor Imoke and the state Commissioner of Sports, Patrick Ugbe in Calabar on Thursday. At the meeting the governor consented to the idea of having the Eaglets camp in Calabar at the state government’s expense.
Confirming the development, Chief Umeh said, “I led a delegation to Calabar to congratulate the Governor on his birthday and to also decorate him with his silver medal which the Eaglets won in Morocco.
“We also asked the Governor for assistance in the camping of the Eaglets ahead of the U-17 World Cup which he graciously agreed and called for the immediate resumption of the boys called to camp.”
An evidently happy Umeh said, “the Governor said he has adopted the Eaglets as sons of Cross River State. The boys will move to camp immediately.”
Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has again come to the rescue of cash-strapped Nigeria Football Federation as his government has agreed to foot the bills for the camping of the national U-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets ahead of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. As a result the Eaglets are expected to resume camping in Calabar immediately.
[caption id="attachment_78455" align="alignright" width="288"]
Gov Imoke of Cross River[/caption]An NFF delegation led by the first Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh met with Governor Imoke and the state Commissioner of Sports, Patrick Ugbe in Calabar on Thursday. At the meeting the governor consented to the idea of having the Eaglets camp in Calabar at the state government’s expense.
Confirming the development, Chief Umeh said, “I led a delegation to Calabar to congratulate the Governor on his birthday and to also decorate him with his silver medal which the Eaglets won in Morocco.
“We also asked the Governor for assistance in the camping of the Eaglets ahead of the U-17 World Cup which he graciously agreed and called for the immediate resumption of the boys called to camp.”
An evidently happy Umeh said, “the Governor said he has adopted the Eaglets as sons of Cross River State. The boys will move to camp immediately.”
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