THE eagerly awaited screening of budding talents into the
U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets started on Tuesday at the NFF\FIFA Goal
Project in Abuja with large turn-up of players from nooks and crannies of the
country.
Though 40 players were officially invited, over 3000 players
actually turned up on Monday and Tuesday.
Ikegwuonu Ebuka Stanley who came from Imo State said it
was his desire to feature for the Golden Eaglets in order to start his football
career on a good note.
"I want to play for my country and I know this will
be a stepping stone if I can make it," said Stanley, a player with
Owerri-based Jahrule Academy.
"I'm proud of the last two teams that won the World
Cup and I'm also looking forward to an opportunity to represent my country at
this level."
Speaking on the same note, Tomiwa Durotoye, a Year
10 (SS1) student at famous Daywaterman College in Abeokuta, said he was
passionate about playing for Nigeria.
"I was part of my school's team that recently won
the AISEN Competition in Lagos but playing at the national team level will be a
dream come true for me," said the light-skinned lad who is an academy
player at Clique Sport.
Yet, Coach Manu Garba has warned that it would take more
than enthusiasm on the part of the players to make the team, warning the
players to be of good conduct during the screening exercise.
"We are going
to give all of you equal opportunity but you have to be disciplined and do your
best when you are given the opportunity to show what you can do on the
pitch," said the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup –winning coach.
He continued: "Please, don't let anyone fool you and
collect any money from you; you will be judged by what you can do on the pitch
as well as sound proof that you are within the age bracket.”
The ongoing screening exercise is part of the Golden
Eaglets' preparations towards qualification for the 2017 Africa U-17 Cup of
Nations to be hosted by Madagascar.
The Golden Eaglets would be away to Niger on the first
weekend of August 5-7 with the reverse fixture in Nigeria a fortnight later.
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