Imoke Backs Eaglets For Glory -As Team Settle In Sharjah -Al-Ain LOC Salutes Squad Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has backed the Golden Eaglets to excel against Uruguay this Saturday’s quarter-final clash at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates and promised to be there and watch the squad live should they make it to the semi-finals. In what becomes another show of nostalgia for the team that spent the better part of their training programme and build-up in the Cross River State capital, Calabar, where they also played all their qualification matches for the African U-17 Championship, Governor Imoke has once again expressed a high level of support for the Eaglets. His latest goodwill message was conveyed to the team by the state’s commissioner for sports, Honorable Patrick Ugbe, who was beaming with excitement after the Eaglets’ 4-1 second round win against Iran in the second round fixture on Tuesday, “Kindly convey the congratulations of His Excellency to the team .He’s looking forward to their progression further in the competition and will be with them soon,” Ugbe stated. This came just before the Eaglets relocated from Al-Ain, where they played their first two group matches and Tuesday’s game against Iran, but they have now since settled down at their new abode in the historic city of Sharjah, which is about 25 minutes’ drive off the commercial city of Dubai. The Eaglets moved ahead of their quarter-final match against Uruguay on Saturday, making a journey which took about two-and-half hour by bus and was seamless, as the team landed safely in the city that house eye of the Emirates Ferris wheel’ in time. The squad, which is gunning for a record fourth title in the Cadet Mundial, are housed at the impressive Radisson Blu Resort Hotel, which is complete with its idyllic serene environment and expansive beach. This is a beautiful place,” coach Nduka Ugbade. “We would do everything in our capacity to make it a memorable time by winning our next game here.” Before the Nigerian squad’s departure for their new base, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Al-Ain saluted the Eaglets over their qualification for the quarter final stage and hailed the team for impacting positively on the tournament. “We in Al Ain wont forget the Nigerian U-17 team in a hurry, said LOC venue manager, Ahmed Woldghamail.Apart from playing an exciting football, your fans were fantastic and they left a positive image here with the way they supported the team.” Woldghamail, who can be regarded as an Emirati-Nigerian for his long association with the West African country, also said he has adopted the Eaglets after his native country crashed out and prayed for a successful outing for the team in subsequent matches.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 19:35:37 +0000
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