The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has charged the Golden Eaglets to give their best at the WAFU B U-17 Championship in Burkina Faso.
Olopade gave the charge on Monday after watching the team’s final training session at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, before their departure for the tournament.
The Golden Eaglets, led by head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere, are set to compete in the regional championship, which begins this weekend in Burkina Faso.
Addressing the players, Olopade described their selection for the national team as a major opportunity and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them by Nigerians.
“A great opportunity has been given to you all as young footballers to represent Nigeria at the U-17 national team level. It is therefore very important for you to do well and excel,” Olopade said.
He said the NSC was committed to supporting the team despite football being under the Nigeria Football Federation, stressing that the players had a responsibility to deliver at the competition.
“This is football, which falls directly under the NFF, but as the Director-General of the NSC, with football and other sports under my supervision, I am here to encourage you to take the task ahead very seriously.
“The government and people of Nigeria want you to succeed at the WAFU B U-17 Championship, and I can assure you that you will be graciously rewarded at the end. The aim is to qualify for the U-17 AFCON tournament and thereafter, the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year.”
Nigeria last featured at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2019, when Brazil hosted the tournament.
Olopade expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to secure qualification for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, urging the players to follow the instructions of their coach.
“I am very optimistic that this team will not disappoint Nigerians. So, play according to what you have learnt under the head coach, and I strongly believe that you will perform very well and qualify for the U-17 AFCON,” he added.
