Former Jigawa State Deputy Governor and Sports enthusiast, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, has called on the coach Manu Garba-led coaching crew to focus on winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup as the Golden Eaglets bid for a record six title at Brazil 2019.
Winners of the inaugural edition in 1985, the Golden Eaglets have since added four other titles in 1993, 2007 2013 and 2015 but Hadejia warned lack of focus can derail the present squad from achieving much without clear-cut focus and direction.
Hadejia’s clarion call is coming amidst widespread reports of invasion of the Golden Eaglets’ hotel camp In Goiania by agents desirous of tapping the budding Nigerian talents.
“I have no doubt that Nigeria can win the FIFA U-17 World Cup again because of our pedigree at this level,” Yakubu Obande, an aide to the senator representing Jigawa North-East quoted him as saying. “Our country is blessed with talented footballers I believe the current youngsters that would represent us in Brazil are also capable of making us proud by winning the trophy with total commitment and tenacity.”
Meanwhile, words are rife that the Golden Eaglets may yet be distracted from their mission in Brazil should Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) fail to curtail the activities of desperate football intermediaries that already besiege the team’s hotel at the heart of the capital city of Goias.
“Of course, Nigeria is good to go for the trophy again but I’m afraid on how best the coaches can get the players to be focused on the assignment,” explained the guardian of one of the players axed from the squad to Brazil.
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“I’m still very much in touch with the team and I learned there are so many agents at the team’s hotel and their activities if left unchecked can affect the overall performance of the team.”