Players of the U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, competing in the ongoing African Nations Cup for this cadre, have been urged to go all out and secure a ticket for Nigeria in the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup finals billed to take place in Brazil later this year.
Zenith Bank plc, partners of the Nigeria Football Federation, gave this charge yesterday, urging the team to record a victory over Angola today.
It is of note that Zenith Bank is the sole sponsor of the NFF future Eagles project, where U-13 and U-15 players compete for honours over the years.
As the Eaglets take on Angola today, a win would be enough to guarantee Nigeria a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals.
According to an official of the NFF close to the team, the sponsors, Zenith Bank was excited that some of their products in the Future Eagles Project had graduated into the current national U-17 team.
About seven of the players featured in the Zenith’s youth developmental competition and the bank was banking on them to go all the way and excel.
The NFF official said: “The officials of Zenith are so happy that some of the players, who were in the Future Eagles project are currently in Tanzania in the colours of Nigeria.
“This is not a small feat and it is understandable that the bank chieftains are happy that their investment is really worth the while in the country’s football development.
“The NFF has about 11 national teams to take care of and it is wonderful that sponsors like Zenith Bank are assisting to reduce the burden of the federation.”
The Eaglets under the tutelage of Coach Manu Garba defeated host Tanzania 5-4 in an opener on Sunday.
