U-17 World Cup: Nigerian Embassy Mobilises Support For Eaglets In UAE

The Golden Eaglets have been assured of massive Nigerian presence at their matches as soon as the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup gets underway in the UAE.

This much was said by Mr. Paul Onwuemene, the protocol officer at the Nigeria Embassy in Abu Dhabi even as he  disclosed that arrangement is being made by Nigeria’s  Ambassador to the UAE, Ibrahim Auwualu  at mobilising Nigerians to support the team’s quest to wrest the FIFA U-17 trophy for a record fourth time.

“Nigeria is a leader at this level and we’ll leave nothing to chance to ensure that the team gets enough support on and off the pitch,” the Ambassador assured the Golden Eaglets on arrival at the Dubai International Airport.

To this end, it was learnt that the Embassy has acquired both the green and white national team jerseys for Nigerians living in the UAE in order to complement the expected travelling party of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to the World Cup.

“We are going to provide a carnival atmosphere at the stadium for the Golden Eaglets throughout their stay in the UAE because we are mobilising Nigerians to be at the stadium,” explained Onwuemene. “As I’m speaking with you, we have made arrangement for jerseys in both

the green and white colours of the country for the supporters.”

Indeed, the Golden Eaglets would not be lacking support at this World Cup following revelations that the Chairman of Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee, NASCOM and influential owner of Nathaniel Boys FC of Lagos, Mr. Yemi Idowu, would be sponsoring some players who passed

through the Golden Eaglets at one stage or the other but were unable to make the squad.

“Our chairman has concluded arrangements for some former Golden Eaglets players because he believes they are still part and parcel of the team,” said an aide to the NASCOM boss.

It would be recalled that Mr. Idowu was at the African Junor Championship in

Morocco last April to lend his support to the U-17 team and he is regarded as one of the unseen hands behind the success of the team.