Despite MRI scandal, Eaglets coach sure of scaling Niger’s hurdle

Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba, is sure of consolidating on his wards’ 1-0 lead to overcome Niger Republic when they meet tomorrow in Niamey in the second round, second leg Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The team, which had 26 of his players disqualified recently by the Confederation of Africa Football, through the MRI screening, is battle ready to scale through the qualifier in Niamey.
Coach Garba’s wards are expected to prepare for the worst to at least secure a draw to progress to the third and final round for a place in next year’s continental cadet championship to be held in Madagascar between April 2 and 16, next year.
“We have worked hard in the last three days. On our part, we are full of confidence and we want Nigerians to remember the team in their prayers in Niamey.
“Our objective is to secure qualification to the next stage and having done our part in terms of preparation, we are praying and hopeful that Almighty Allah will bless us with good result so that we can come out unscathed against the Nigeriens,” he said.
Garba, in the meantime, applauded the local football fans in Sokoto State for their support at the Giginya Memorial Stadium: “Our coming down to Sokoto has helped us to acclimatise with the same weather condition. We thank the people of Sokoto State for providing us with the conducive environment to train.”
Team coordinator, Prince Udofia, said the players were in high spirit, explaining that the training camp in Sokoto has strengthened the team in several ways.
CAF has listed Cameroonian officials, including Henry Duvalier Mouandjou Kalla, Sadou Hamadou, Ernest Nkeniji Ekokobe and Anthoine Max as referee, assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively. Kadre Saleh Kana from Chad will be the match commissioner.