President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has assured the Flying Eagles of necessary support and attention as the team continues to build-up to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Visiting the team’s training base in Morocco shortly after their 2-1 victory over Congo in a friendly game at the Complexe Sportif Sidi Mohammed, the NFF President charged the team to fly the nation’s flag high in Egypt.
“Let me use this opportunity to congratulate you all for emerging victorious against the Congolese team,” Gusau said.
“It was a well-deserved victory because you played well. I believe there are a lot of good players here that will make the generality of Nigerians proud.
“The NFF under my leadership is working assiduously to ensure that you get all the support necessary for you to excel and that’s why I directed the secretariat to settle all your camping allowances which was done before your departure.
“I assure you that we are now working on how to motivate you in an extra way when you get to Cairo. All you have to do is go out there and make Nigerians proud.
“Getting to the semi-finals is paramount because that guarantees us a place in the FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia; so I urge you to seal that ticket and then get to the final and win the trophy,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the team, Captain Daniel Bameyi thanked the President for the visit while reassuring him of their readiness for the task ahead.
He further stressed that the team will do the needful by not only winning the World Cup ticket but the trophy.
“I want to thank the NFF for their support so far from camp up until now. We will surely put in our very best to make sure we win the trophy and also qualify for the World Cup in Indonesia”.
Against Congo, Nigeria dominated for large swathes of the first period but fell behind when Solomon Oniangue scored for the boys from Brazzaville in the 21st minute. Haliru Sarki, Francis Ayuba and Mohammed Ibrahim all missed good opportunities to draw the Flying Eagles level.
However, Emmanuel Uchegbu and Adams Olamilekan turned the game around for Nigeria with goals in the 66th and 74th minute to maintain the unbeaten run of this set of Flying Eagles in all matches and competitions.
The Flying Eagles are expected to play Central African Republic on Wednesday before the team’s departure to Cairo on Thursday.
Nigeria have won the U-20 AFCON a record seven times, making them the most successful team in the competition.
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