Nigeria 2009: Don’t Visit Super Eagles Sins On Eaglets …Coach Obuh Begs Nigerians

AC Milian’s Ronaldinho (right) celebrating his penalty goal against Roma at the weekend. He will lead the Rossoneris against the Merengues today.

John Obuh, Coach of Nigeria’s Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, who will be trying to defend the FIFA Under-17 World Cup title won by their predecessors in South Korea in 2007 on home soil, beginning from Saturday, has appealed to Nigerians to support his team for the task at home.

The  Coach, who was speaking in Lagos as his wards rounded off preparations for the championship with a friendly game against Julius Berger noted the mood in the country, especially that of football fans following the disappointing performance of the Super and Flying Eagles.

According to him, “this is not the best of times for Nigerian football fans”, but he pleaded that his team should not be made scape goat of the prevailing apathy  among fans.

He urged Nigerians to come out enmasse, support and cheer the Eaglets as they begin the task of trying to bring smiles back to the faces of football fans, beginning with the opening match against Germany on Saturday in Abuja.

Obuha said that though the team may not have had  enough time to prepare as much as he would have liked, what it needs most from Nigerians is their support and prayers.

“Nigerians should not take out their frustrations as a result of our national teams’ poor performances in recent time on the Eaglets, we are ready to do our best to go all the way, and with the support of Nigerians and the grace of God, we have the potentials to make the country proud”, he said.

It is evident that most Nigerian football fans are not happy with the national teams. Some even vowed not to watch matches involving any of the national teams, be it  on television or at the stadium.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of National Sports Commission and Minister of Sports, Sani Ndanusa has stated that Nigeria would settle for nothing less than the U-17 World trophy and urged fans to rally round the Eaglets.

AC Milian’s Ronaldinho (right) celebrating his penalty goal against Roma at the weekend. He will lead the Rossoneris against the Merengues today.