Enugu Best Farmers dare Golden Eaglets

First Best Farmers (FBF) soccer academy under the aegis of Dr. Mrs. Ify Nwobosi would have a foretaste of the firepower of the National Under-17 team today; in a friendly match slated to hold 4pm at the practice pitch of the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The match would be the Golden Eaglets’ 21st domestic friendly match and it promises to be a spectacle with FBF spoiling for battle.

“First and foremost, we want to use this opportunity to commend the good job you guys are doing with the Golden Eaglets,” the soccer-loving President of FBF, Mrs. Nwobosi was quoted as saying.

”Playing against the Golden Eaglets would give our players needed exposure as we prepare for a   training tour soon and we are ready to give a good account of ourselves against your boys.”

[caption id="attachment_373120" align="alignnone" width="412"] Golden Eaglets[/caption]

The Head coach of FBF is former Nigerian international and Enugu Rangers’ rugged midfielder, Romanus Orjinta who incidentally won the CAF Champions League trophy with Enyimba FC in 2003.

By the way, Golden Eaglets’ Head coach Manu Garba (MFR) has enthused that his wards are not yet ready to give up their winning streak which has seen them recorded an average of five goals per match.

”No match is too small for us and we always play to win,”Garba told the players during training session.”Again, we have a match on Wednesday (today) and as usual, we want you to approach it with all seriousness.

“We want to keep our winning record to be in a good frame of mind for other assignments,” he noted.

Fighting for shirts in the team is getting keener as the Kickoff to the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup is around the corner. Expectedly all the players are up and running in order to make the cut of 21 that would finally be selected to represent the country in the UAE.

Nigeria would open its U-17 World Cup account against the Mexicans on October 19 to be followed with two other preliminary round matches against Sweden and Iraq on October 22 and 24 reapectively.

But in the meantime, the focus now is on today’s match against FBF which is an appetiser for Saturday’s crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the senior National Team, the Super Eagles and the Flames of Malawi at the main bowl of the U.J Esuene Stadium. Calabar fans are indeed in for a double treat.

We don’t have a 1st choice keeper yet - Golden Eaglets’ coach

BY JACOB AJOM
He was a member of the Saudi ’89 squad that produced one of the most remarkable results in Nigeria’s recent football history.

Like most goalkeeper’s, Amadi’s contribution to the squad’s historic feat, the Damman miracle  – coming from 0-4 down in the first half to win against Russia through penalties in a quarter final duel – have greatly been undermined by chroniclers of Nigerian football.

[caption id="attachment_406687" align="alignright" width="205"] Amadi Emeka[/caption]

“I was in goal for the squad and it was a great feeling when we won that match. We were fired by a patriotic zeal and the determination not to disappoint our teeming fans back home,” A madi said. He said the tournament was the turning point in his career as he left the country to live in Germany.

His stay in Germany has been exciting and challenging. “In Germany, I am a coach, a social worker and a lecturer in schools. I combine all to affect the society positively.”

Currently, the former youth international is Golden Eaglets goalkeepers’ trainer. To give informed coaching and make effective use of his expertise, Amadi sponsored himself to a coaching course in Germany last year.

“Every winning team must have a good goalkeeper,” he started. “To ensure I dished out the best instructions to our goalkeepers, I attended goalkeepers’ training course in  Germany, between June and July last year”.

He assured that the Eaglets being built for the FIFA U-17 by the Manu Garba led technical crew would be up-and-doing when hostilities begin in United Arab Emirates in October this year. “We are preparing them very well as there will be no excuse when the chips are down.”

Amadi said, “we do not have a number one yet. You have to train all of them to be at their best If you make one number one now then there will no longer competition; there will be stagnation. There has to be competition in order to witness improvement among them.”

The former youth international said the problem about goal keeping at the national level could be traced to the neglect of grassroots development.  “We should copy what obtains abroad. Let us retrace our steps to the grassroots. We must also not ignore the aspect of training quality coaches that will go down to primary and secondary schools to bring up good goalkeepers.

“You must not necessarily be a good goalkeeper to become a goalkeeper’s coach.  With adequate training and the desired interest, anybody can become one.  We still have young, talented goalkeepers but they lack the skill. That is the job of the coach. Emphasis must be in grassroots development.”

Golden Eaglets can win U-17 World Cup - Amun

Former coach of the Golden Eaglets, Fanny Amun has described the current Golden Eaglets squad as a strong force, capable of winning the U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Amun said in Lagos that the squad was impeccable and in a good shape to do the country proud at the tournament.

[caption id="attachment_373120" align="alignnone" width="412"] Golden Eaglets[/caption]

The former coach added that he was anticipating a good run from the team, because of their antecedents.

“This U-17 team is a strong force, in spite of losing on penalties in the African championship; we can see the hunger and passion to win in the boys.

“But we remain hopeful because they have done marvelously well, prior to this, so I have high expectations from them, but no pressure,” he said.

Amun, who was at the helm when the Golden Eaglets won the 1993 edition of the U-17 World Cup, stressed that new crop of players must be produced on a regular basis.

“When there is no progression, from the U-17 to the U-20 then it’s a cause for concern, these boys are young and capable of playing at the next level.

“They deserve that option, consistency and growth is key to rebuilding our teams,” Amun said.

Amun also harped on the need for positivity and support for the U-17 team, as they prepared to play in Dubai.

“Hope and positivity must not be lost, the Golden Eaglets have lots of work to do, at least to make a mark and possibly win the U-17 World Cup in Dubai,” he added.

Eaglets capable of winning U-17 World Cup - Imoke

The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, CON, on Thursday expressed absolute confidence in the ability of the U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, to conquer the world at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals taking place in the United Arab Emirates later in the year.

Speaking at the Government House, Calabar while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Football Federation led by 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, Governor Imoke equated the silver medal won by the Golden Eaglets at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco to gold, and assured that his administration would give the team all necessary support to go to the United Arab Emirates to lift the World Cup.

[caption id="attachment_403479" align="alignnone" width="412"] GOLDEN EAGLETS' Kelechi Ihenacho protects the ball from an opponent during a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier in Calabar[/caption]

“The Eaglets were only unlucky to lose the final match of the African championship on penalties. The boys are good and destined for greatness. I believe that from here, we will produce the next U-17 champions of the world.”

The Cross River State number one man, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Wednesday, July 10, praised the Nigeria Football Federation for their policy thrust and thoroughness in producing one of the best U-17 teams to have been raised in this country, and also commended the coaches for their patience, diligence and direction.

“Everytime I see the boys, I feel so proud and excited. The Government and entire people of Cross River State are in love with the Eaglets. You see, football continues to be the biggest unifier of our peoples across the different states and regions, and across several other mental boundaries.

“The only time our peoples are less concerned about their sentiments and backgrounds is when our football teams are playing and winning. These Eaglets are doing well and I believe they will represent the country with dignity and honour, and acquit themselves effectively and efficiently at the World Cup.”

Announcing that he has approved that the team have its final camping programme ahead of the World Cup in Calabar, as requested by the NFF, Governor Imoke said: “The Government and people of Cross River State identify with success, and we are known to be harbingers of success ourselves. We will give the NFF and the Eaglets all the support to do well at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.”

It can be recalled that the Super Eagles played their home matches in the qualifying series for the 2013 FIFA World Cup finals in Calabar, before going to South Africa to lift the trophy. The Eagles are on the verge of qualifying for the 10-team final elimination round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup having played all their home games in Calabar, and the Eaglets also prosecuted their home matches in Canaan City before
finishing as runners-up at the African Championship in Morocco.

Speaking earlier, NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh heaped plaudits on Governor Imoke, his administration and the good people of Cross River State for all the support they have given Nigeria football over the years. He then presented the governor with a silver medal from the African U-17 Championship, to which the governor responded: “I can’t remember when I last wore a medal.”

Also present at the courtesy visit were the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Cross River State, Honourable Patrick Ugbe, the State’s Commissioners for Information and Works, NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Vice Chairman of Cross River State FA, Mr. Oswald Atuake, NFF’s Assistant Director (Media), Mr. Ademola Olajire, Secretary of Cross River State FA, Mr. Greg Abang and special assistant to NFF General Secretary, Dr. Christian Emeruwa.