NFF Charges Eaglets, Caution Nigerian Clubs on Complacency

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has charged the national cadet team to build on Sunday’s 2-0 win against host nation Niger Republic at the ongoing Africa Under-17 Championship.

The Golden Eaglets will play Guinea, who are placed second in Group A following their opening win (1-0) over Zambia, in their second group game on Wednesday.

A win for the two-time champions in the top-of-the-table clash could see Nigeria through to this year’s Fifa U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Secretary General of the NFF, Musa Amadu, lauded the Eaglets for their performance against Niger and urged them not to lose focus in their bid for a third African Junior Championship title.

Enyimba Are Seeking for a Third Continental Title. Image: AFP.
Enyimba Are Seeking for a Third Continental Title. Image: AFP.
“It’s a good start but we should not be carried away. We should work harder to achieve the ultimate objective which is winning the African Cadet Championship,” Amadu said. “This will enable us to go to Chile as African champions.”

In the meantime, NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who is in Niamey with the team, has buoyed the team to go all out for three points against Guinea’s Syli Babes on Wednesday.

“We are champions of the world, and that we must underscore boldly,” Sanusi added.

“The Eaglets did well to win their first match against the host nation despite all the odds against them. There is no way Guinea will stand up to our boys on Wednesday.

“The NFF has provided everything the team needs to succeed and we expect nothing but victory against the Guineans.”

A Win for Nigeria against Guinea Will See Them Through to the 2015 Fifa U-17 World Cup. Image: Caf via AFP.
A Win for Nigeria against Guinea Will See Them Through to the 2015 Fifa U-17 World Cup. Image: Caf via AFP.

In a similar vein, the NFF secretary also charged Nigeria’s representative in Caf club competitions to target group stage berths in their various categories.

The duo of Kano Pillars and Enyimba International FC got posted victories in their Caf Champions League first leg preliminary round matches on the road and at home respectively while Warri Wolves topped Burkina Faso opponents, RCB, in a Caf Confederation Cup first leg preliminary round tie.

“The win by Kano Pillars, Warri Wolves and Enyimba were quite impressive,” Amadu added.

“I am confident that all the clubs have started on a good footing and will qualify for the next round of the competitions.

“The least we should expect (of) our clubs in the inter clubs competitions this season is for them to reach the group stages of the two competitions.”

Amadu attributed last weekend victories to subsequent improvement and adaptation following the successful completion of the tradition Super 4 pre-season tournament in Abuja.

Dolphins FC will be looking to overturn a first leg deficit when they hosts Equatorial Guinea outfit Leones Vegetarianos in Port-Harcourt in the return leg of their Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round tie.