Ahead U-17 W/Cup: Eaglets Relocate To Uyo

The Golden Eaglets have moved to Uyo to continue their preparation for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup which kicks off later in October at the UAE.

A team of thirty-three players and eight officials arrived Uyo on Sunday afternoon without the trio of coach Garba Manu, the team’s secretary Tayo Egbaiyelo and the team’s captain Musa Mohammed who have all travelled to Abu Dhabi for the Official World Cup draw.

The team were accompanied by the secretary of the Cross River State Football Association, Greg Abang, at the instance of the Nigeria Football Federation who decided to move the team from Calabar as the Cross Rivers State capital will be a beehive of activities this week with the hosting of this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference at TINAPA Business Resort in Calabar between August 25 and 30.

Officials explained that the weeklong move to Uyo was necessitated by the need to avoid any form of distraction to the team.

“It is part of our obligation to provide the enabling environment for the Golden Eaglets to have their training sessions without any hindrance at any given time,” affirmed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

“But we find it expedient to move the team to Uyo because Cross State is hosting the NBA conference this week.”

While in Uyo, the Golden Eaglets are expected to play at least one friendly match with a local team.

The Eaglets are not unfamiliar with Uyo, having beaten an Akwa Ibom Under-17 select side 6-1 last December, in an event that commemorated the 50th birthday of Governor Goodswill Akpabio.