SPORTS minister Sunday Dare has told the Flying Eagles to go on and win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia in June.
The Nigerian side returned to Abuja today after qualifying for the World Cup and claiming bronze at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt over the weekend.
Dare spoke to the Nigeria Football Federation and the Flying Eagles, led by head coach Ladan Bosso, at a reception for the squad at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja today.
“You have returned from Egypt with the bronze medals and the FIFA World Cup ticket, and a few other prizes, but the FIFA World Cup is in a few weeks and I want you to focus your mind on winning it for Nigeria for the first time,” the minister said.
“I understand Ghana is the only African country that has won the FIFA U-20 World Cup. If Ghana can win it, why not Nigeria?
“I am happy about your performance in Egypt because you were able to come from a position of adversity – a depressing loss to The Gambia in the semi-final – to fire on all cylinders to defeat Tunisia for the bronze medals.
“That is the spirit that the government and people of Nigeria want you to take to the World Cup. We are on the same page with the NFF on adequate preparation of our national teams for matches and competitions, and I believe they will provide you with good-enough preparation for the global finals in Indonesia.”
Bosso praised the minister for his encouragement and support for the team since hosting the team to a similar reception after they won the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic 10 months ago.
“We are always encouraged by your inspiring and motivating words, and the length you go to simply to support the team and our dreams,” the coach said.
“I told you after the victory in Niamey that our target was doing well at the AFCON in order to earn a FIFA World Cup ticket. Now, just as I told the Nigeria Ambassador to Egypt in Cairo on Saturday, I want you to know that our fresh target is doing very well at the FIFA World Cup.
All players and team officials were at the reception, except for Belgium-based Ahmed Abdullahi, who is back to his base in Europe.
The Flying Eagles will go on a short break before reconvening for the phased preparations for the FIFA World Cup, taking place in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
Nigeria came close to winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup twice, finishing second to Portugal in 1989 and Argentina in 2005.
Ghana won Africa’s only title in the tournament in 2009, when Egypt hosted.
Comments are closed.