CAN U-17 NIGER 2015: Golden Eaglets tipped for qualification…As Egypt, Nigeria battle again
Based on their current form and performances over three matches against Egypt, the Golden Eaglets have been tipped as one of the favourites to qualify for the 2015 African Under-17 Championship to be
hosted in Niger.
This much is the opinion of experienced Coach Mohammed Ali Gamiel, the Physical Education Doctorate Degree Holder after being pressed about the team under the aegis of Coach Emmanuel Amuneke following a pulsating goalless draw on Friday night.
Nigeria is drawn into the second round of the 2015 CAN Under-17 and would keep a date with Democratic Republic of Congo in Lubumbashi for a first leg fixture on July 20 but Gamiel said he has seen enough to give them a head start.
“Today’s (Friday) match gave me the opportunity to assess the Nigerian team much better because my boys are in a great physical condition and good form after we won two official games against Sudan(Egypt won on 7-3 aggregate),” reasoned Gamiel.
“I really like this Nigerian team and along with Egypt, I think they are the best now at the Under-17 level because I have watched about 10 teams already and I would definitely rate the Nigerian side very high.”
He would further commend the Golden Eaglets’ coaching crew for the spade of work already done over the last few months while counselling them not to rest on their oars.
“The Nigerian team has good skill, good physical condition and above all, good tactics and I would like to commend the coaches because it is not easy teaching players at this level,” he noted. “I’m very hopeful the Nigeria team and my team Insha Allah (by the grace of God) would qualify for the tournament in Niger.”
In a related development, both Nigeria and Egypt would face-off again 10:00pm on Sunday night at the Police Sports Federation Stadium in Cairo to complete their four-match series.
The Junior Pharaohs would be desirous to at least win match in front of their home fans after losing twice to the Golden Eaglets in Kaduna in May and followed by Friday’s goalless draw but the Golden Eaglets are cocksure of yet another victory.
“But for luck, we should have won Friday’s match because we created the best chances in the match,” noted Prince Udofia, Golden Eaglets’ co-ordinator. “I’m sure the boys would go all out for victory in
Sunday’s game.”
Sunday’s match would be Golden Eaglets’ Number 20 since Amuneke took over the reins of the Nigeria’s national Under-17 team and they are yet to lose a match in regulation time bar the 3-1 penalty shoot-out loss to Benin Republic after a energetic 1-1 draw at the WAFU B Tournament in April.
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