The Eaglets
From Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Nigeria’s National U-17 team, Golden Eaglets arrived Sokoto Friday for their preparation towards the forthcoming 11th African U-17 Championship starting next week in neighbouring Niger Republic.
This was disclosed in a statement availed our Regional Correspondent on Friday by the team’s Media Officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin.
It stated: “Coach Emmanuel Amuneke led a team of 25 players and eight other
officials to the historic seat of the Caliphate aboard Arik Air”.
officials to the historic seat of the Caliphate aboard Arik Air”.
The team departed Abuja International Airport at 10:40 am and landed at the Sultan Saddik Abubakar Airport at 11: 25 am.
According to the statement the team was welcomed by a strong delegation from the Sokoto Football Association board led by its chairman, Mallam Muhammed Saidu. It stated that the Golden Eaglets were advised to enjoy their stay as they firm uptheir preparation towards the continental cadet championship.
The weather condition in Sokoto is similar to what is obtainable in Niamey at this period with a temperature fluctuating between 40°C and 41°C.
Amuneke said he was happy to be in Sokoto again since his last visit 24 years ago with the national U-23 team for a friendly match ahead of the Cairo ’91 All Africa Games Soccer Tournament.
He said: “We are happy to come down to Sokoto for our final preparation for Niger 2015. We want to use this opportunity to than the government and the people of Sokoto as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for giving us the platform to come to Sokoto and we are ready to work harder in the days ahead. Though it is very hot coming down to Sokoto few days to our first game in Niger would surely help us and we just have to go through this in order to achieve our objective,” he reasoned .
According to the statement the team is in their Giginya Coral Hotel camp with arrangement already in place for them to begin their training sessions.
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