15th June, 2014
The national under-17 male football team, Golden Eaglets, will now face DR Congo in the 2015 African Championship qualifier, an official says.
A statement from the team’s Media Officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, on Sunday in Abuja, said the pairing was due to Burundi’s withdrawal from the qualifier.
The Golden Eaglets were initially billed to face the winner of the first round tie between Congo DR and Burundi.
The first leg of the match was scheduled for 28 June in Burundi with the return leg in Congo DR a fortnight later.
“Nigerian Under-17 national team was originally scheduled to meet the overall winner of the first round fixture between Congo DR and Burundi.
“But according to the continental soccer governing body, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Burundi has withdrawn from the competition.
“With this development, the Golden Eaglets will now travel to Kinshasa on July 18 and 20.
“And the return fixture will be on the weekend of August 1 and 3,” the statement read.
Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said the players would be ready, irrespective of the opposition.
“We don’t have the luxury of picking the team we want to play as such, but we will be ready to play the Congolese.
“Of course, Congo-Kinshasa will be different from Congo-Brazzaville that we met in Morocco, but we know that the Congolese in whatever shape, are a strong side; but we will be ready.
“We remain focused about the challenges ahead and the series of upcoming friendly matches will be used to fine-tune the team’s rough edges,” Amuneke was quoted as saying.
NAN recalls that the Golden Eaglets defeated Congo Brazzaville 7-0 at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco in 2013.