So much to look forward to!

On Wednesday, the U-20 Women National Team, Falconets flew from Lagos to Dubai on their way to Korea Republic for a two-week camping programme, leading to the finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Japan. Everything pertaining to their two-week stay has been put together and we expect no problems. The team […]

On Wednesday, the U-20 Women National Team, Falconets flew from Lagos to Dubai on their way to Korea Republic for a two-week camping programme, leading to the finals of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Japan. Everything pertaining to their two-week stay has been put together and we expect no problems. The team will also play a number of friendly matches that will help their preparation for the biggest stage.

Most Nigerians still remember with pride the performance of the Falconets at the 2010 edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. They performed excellently, reaching the Final before losing to the supercharged German team that was playing on home soil.

I also remember very well that was the very first tournament I went to as President of Nigeria Football Federation, and how so fulfilled to be in Germany with the Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Dame Patience Jonathan. That was one tournament that hallmarked the drive and confidence of Nigeria women teams at international level.

Having finished as runners-up at the last edition, the next big thing is for the Falconets to step up and be champions. And that could definitely happen in Japan, with the potential of the team that we’re taking there. The Class of 2012 got into the second round without kicking a ball because Sierra Leone was wise enough to withdraw.

Zimbabwe did not withdraw and got kicked 6-0 on aggregate, three goals each leg. Congo Democratic Republic did not withdraw from the final qualification race and lost by seven goals, four goals in Abeokuta and three goals in Kinshasa.

Before the Falconets start the battle in the Far East, the Super Eagles would have gone to Niamey and back. The squad is already in camp and will be heading to Niamey for an international friendly against Mena of Niger on 15th August.

This friendly match has been arranged for Coach Keshi to look at a number of other players in the NPL that could be prove undroppable for the 2013 AFCON qualification fixture against Liberia in September and October. If the home boys get this shooting practice, it would help their confidence as they battle for shirts against the overseas-based players in the lead-up to the clash with the Lone Star.

That brings us to the Golden Eaglets – the chaps who just passed the MRI examination in flying colours, to the consternation of those who wished otherwise and who had campaigned relentlessly against reason.

We are proud of the work that Coach Manu Garba and his crew have been doing since the first phase of camping, in which they looked at almost 3,000 players and made it clear they would only take players young enough.

Those who saw the players during the second phase camping in Calabar, and at the friendly match in Naaka, Anambra State vowed that they constituted the youngest set of U-17 boys that the nation had put together.

Now, we have a pool of 50 very eligible players from which the Coach has picked 30, and with whom he is now working in Calabar in preparation for the Morocco 2013 African Junior Championship qualification series.

The team has been handed a tough run with three rounds of the series to play before qualification for Morocco. It is a task that must be accomplished. Remember that the Eaglets failed to qualify for the past two editions of the African U-17 Championship – Algeria 2009 and Rwanda 2011.

Then, the Flying Eagles, who have one leg in the second and final round of the 2013 African Youth Championship finals following a 2-1 victory over their Tanzanian counterparts in Dar es Salaam last weekend. The Nigeria Football Federation is full of appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for the gesture of hosting the team and the return leg match against Tanzania.

Once they are done with the Tanzanians, the Flying Eagles have the winner of the Congo/South Africa fixture to play in September. We believe very much in the African champions and we exhort fellow Nigerians to get behind and support the team to achieve qualification.

Tomorrow, in Ijebu-Ode, our only remaining flag-bearer in African club competition, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure will take on AS Chief of Algeria in their third match of the group stage of CAF Champions League.

Defeat by Esperance Sportif du Tunis in their first match of the group phase was depressing, and even demoralizing. But the team picked itself up and earned a draw far away in Sousse against Etoile du Sahel.

I believe the team has the experience, street wisdom, capacity and strength-in-depth to overcome the challenge of the Algerians and go up to four points, which would be good position, with the two Tunisian clubs (Esperance and Etoile) sure to cancel themselves out in the other match in North Africa.

This year’s campaign is no picnic, and I am aware that Sunshine Stars realize more than anyone. After tomorrow’s match, comes two away matches against very strong teams. They play AS Chief in the return and then fly to Tunis to play Cup holders and pace-setters Esperance.

Much steel and savvy would be needed to come out unscathed from these North African expedition and then, back in Ijebu-Ode on the final day of the group stage, comes Etoile du Sahel again. It doesn’t come harder, surely.

Add all these to the 2012 Federation Cup grand finale that has already been scheduled for Sunday, August 26 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Four of the best – Cup holders Heartland FC, Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars and Prime FC have qualified for the semi finals and the semi finals come up on Wednesday, August 15, with Lobi Stars playing Kano Pillars at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar and Heartland FC playing Prime FC at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

So much to look forward to in the Federation Cup grand finale as the NFF and Lagos State Government unleash a plan to bring back the glamour and glory of the competition. Thanks again, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for that giant, all-silver trophy that the four teams left in the competition will be angling to get their hands on!

NEXT WEEK: Golden Eaglets and MRI Tests