The Golden Eaglets on Monday arrived their
training camp in Sokoto en route Niamey for this weekend's AFCON qualifier
against Junior Menas of Niger.
A squad of 20 players and accompanying officials led by
Coach Manu Garba, travelled from Abuja on the luxury Marcopolo Bus and were
received at the Imperial Caliphate by members of the Sokoto State Football
Association led by its secretary, Mallam Garba Sani at Shuni – some few
kilometres to their new home at the Shukura Coral Hotel.
The players described the travelling experience from Abuja
to Sokoto as very enriching, adding the camaraderie within the rank and file of
the team is a good omen for the crunch match against Niger Republic.
"The trip from Abuja to Sokoto was a good experience
personally for me," stated bean –pole striker Tolu Arokodare who is
attached to Box-to-Box Football Academy in Lagos. "I've not travelled much
and this is my first real travelling outside Lagos; and it has given me an
opportunity to see some interesting landmarks."
Along the way, the Eaglets had a brief stopover at
Kotorkoshi town which is very close to Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State
where they savoured the enthralling ambience of the massive Dukura Rock; with
midfielder Akpos Akpomedaye revelling in the joy of being in the travelling party.
"Sir, this journey has brought us closer together and
it is good for our team spirit as we prepare for the match against Niger,"
explained the lad sourced from Warri-based Delta Stars. "I have not
travelled this far before and it is nice to see other parts of the country from
Abuja to Sokoto."
The Eaglets resumed training on Tuesday at the
famous Giginya Memorial Stadium. In a related development, coach Garba has said
that only 18 players would officially be dressed for the match in Niamey:
"We have 20 players on this trip and that means there is still room for
competition since only 18 players will be picked for the match; and we are
positive that the players with us here will make the country proud.”
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has
confirmed to the NFF that the match will be played at the Municipal Stadium,
Niamey starting from 4pm on Saturday, 20th August
2016. The Eaglets take a 1-0 lead into the return leg encounter.
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