Eaglets lead chase for glory in Morocco

The competition has produced stars like Stephen Appiah, Ossei Kuffour, Andrew Ayew, Nee Odartey Lamptey, Frank Amankwah, Daniel Addo, Anthony Yeboah(Ghana), Yousuf Hadji(Moroco), Kanu Nwankwo, Celestine Babayaro, Macauley Christantus,Nduka Ugbade, Mikel Obi (Nigeria), just to mention a few. This competition will produce four qualifiers for the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab […]

The competition has produced stars like Stephen Appiah, Ossei Kuffour, Andrew Ayew, Nee Odartey Lamptey, Frank Amankwah, Daniel Addo, Anthony Yeboah(Ghana), Yousuf Hadji(Moroco), Kanu Nwankwo, Celestine Babayaro, Macauley Christantus,Nduka Ugbade, Mikel Obi (Nigeria), just to mention a few.
This competition will produce four qualifiers for the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October and it is also expected to roll out stars that will take the world by storm in the near future.
Nigeria, who have been absent for the last two editions in 2009 and 2011 are looking forward to win their third title at this level and they will open their campaign with what is expected to be a cracking game against perennial rivals Ghana tomorrow at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Nigeria and Ghana have won the continental diadem and are both favourite to lift the trophy in Morocco.
Both West African countries have also won the FIFA U17 World Cup with Nigeria having won it three times, while the Black Satellites have done so twice.
The present Eaglets play a very exciting passing game similar to mighty Barcelona and drawn against another top football country Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo in Group B.
The Eaglets were African champions in 2001 and 2007, beating Burkina Faso 3-0 and Togo 1-0 after extra time, respectively.
They eliminated Niger, Guinea and Mali to qualify for this competition and then trained in Doha, Qatar, for a month.
Hosts Morocco will open the competition against Gabon this evening at the Complexe Sportif Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Tunisia and debutants Botswana are the other teams in Group A.
Interestingly, defending champions Burkina Faso are not in Morocco to defend their crown they won two years ago.
The semi-finals are fixed for April 23 with the championship game to be played four days later.
Meanwhile some members of the 2009 Golden Eaglets who spoke to Shot! expressed optimism that the Nigeria U-17 team will do well in Morocco and qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Nasarawa United and former Eaglets goalkeeper, Dami Paul said he did not follow closely the team’s preparations but he is aware that the team is made up of quality players who can hold their own against any team in the world.
He said the coaches have selected the best players in that age category and the players have justified the confidence reposed in them by winning all their matches en route to Morocco.
Paul said the Eaglets should bring their heads down and win the championship so that they would fly the flag of Nigeria at the World Cup.
“Honestly, I have not followed closely the team’s preparations but from the little I know about the team, they have been together for a long time and that has shown in their performance so far. The team did very well in the qualifiers and now it is time for them to show that they can do it at the top level.
“They are going to be up against the best teams on the continent but I am confident in the end, they would do the country proud. Although they are in a group made up of formidable countries, I am confident, Eaglets would soar high in Morocco.
Another member of the 2009 Eaglets who went on to play for the National U-20 team, Terry Envoh told Shot! that the present generation of Eaglets are world beaters.
He said the team is made up of highly talented players who have already proved that they are a dreaded side. Envoh said despite their intimidating profile, the players should not underrate their opponents.
The Sharks of Port-Harcourt winger urged the players to approach each match with seriousness and ensure they qualify for the World Cup.
He said “From what I know of the present Eaglets, they are good players. They have done very well in the qualifiers and everybody is expecting them to lift the trophy in Morocco.
“It is not going to be easy but if their performance in the qualifiers is anything to go by, they will surely do Nigeria proud. Moreover, each of the players would like to make a name for himself. I wish them the best of luck”, he said.
The Golden Eaglets are yet to lose any game, be it qualifier or friendly, prior to this tournament and are therefore rated among the favourites for glory in Morocco.