BY ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Ahead of the make-or-mar clash with the Black Starlets of Ghana on Saturday, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has charged Nigeria’s U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets to show robust winning mentality against their opponents.
Pinnick charged the players to believe in themselves and go for victory when he visited the team’s camp at the Hotel Novella Star in Lome, Togo, while admonishing the players to remain focused in the task of representing Nigeria very well at the tournament.
“Nigerians don’t want to know about tactics, just go, play and win the game. The mentality of Nigerians is winning, they don’t care how you win, just win. Winning gives Nigerians a lot of joy,” Pinnick said.
“So, I just want to crave your indulgence to represent Nigeria well. I’m happy that I can see all the players in this U 17 team, I can see that we have the youngest team in this tournament, which of course, I’m very proud of.
“It is a developmental football at this level. It does not mean that we do not want to win. Nigerians wants you to win so that you will be celebrated. We want you to be celebrated, it is very important that we must win. Just work hard and ensure we beat Ghana. The attitude we always display is that we can do it. That is the spirit under my leadership in the Nigeria Football Federation and that is what we expect from you.
“Your coach will tell you the technical and tactical way to achieve winning, but what I will tell you is that you are Nigerians and for you being a Nigerian, you must be positively rugged to achieve your dream,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets started the ongoing West African Football Union (WAFU) B Tournament with a disappointing start as they lost 0-1 to their Ivorian counterparts on Wednesday at Kégué stadium in Lomé.
The lone goal conceded in the 76th minute condemned Coach Fatai Amoo-tutored side to the defeat which effectively puts them in a dicey situation.
With Group B having only three teams and each team to play only two matches, it is a more difficult prospect and any team that loses its first game will be walking on a tight rope.
Eaglets, through their media officer, had earlier complained there was a “massive conspiracy” against them in Lome.
The team arrived in Lome, Togo earlier than their first opponents the Baby Elephants of Ivory Coast, but their mandatory MRI tests were scheduled for a later time.
Their Ivory Coast counterpart had their tests immediately, but the Nigerian boys were scheduled for later. And these, officials’ claim, were geared at unsettling the Nigerian team.
Having failed in their first assignment in Lome, the Golden Eaglets are condemned to win their other Group game against arch-rivals Ghana on Saturday.
