The Nigeria Football Federation has praised officials of the Embassy of Argentina in Nigeria for the excellent service rendered for the U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, ahead of the team’s training camp in that country.

“The Embassy of Argentina was very much co-operative. They did very well to attend to our team within one week – a process we understand normally takes several weeks. We appreciate the Ambassador and other officials of the Embassy for their support,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, reigning world champions Nigeria began the journey to the defence of their FIFA U-17 World Cup title on Thursday, when Coach Emmanuel Amuneke led a delegation including 25 players out of Abuja for their pre-World Cup training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Golden Eaglets would spend about two weeks in Argentina after which four players would eventually be dropped from the squad that would represent the country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 to be held between October 17 and November 8.

Team captain Kelechi Nwakali tops the list along with nine others who were all in the squad that secured the team’s ticket for the World Cup at the last Africa U-17 Nations Cup in Niger Republic – including strikers Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ebere Osinachi, Kingsley Michael and Orji Okonkwo, defenders John Lazarus and Halilu Lukman and goalkeepers Udoh Akpan and Benjamin Amos.

Winger Taiwo Alimi and Chinedu Madueke who missed out of the tournament in Niger Republic, are in the mix along with new lads like Ibe Tobechukwu; Ejike Ikwu; Tochukwu Okoli, Ndochukwu Anumudu; Chiaha Chisom , Funsho Bamgboye, Yunusa Abdullahi; Agor Chukwudi; David Enogela; Michael Edidiong; Samuel Opeh; Joel Osikel and; Gavi Thompson

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets departed Abuja for Buenos Aires en route to Chile for the World Cup aboard Emirates Airlines on Thursday to fine tune their preparations for the tournament that Nigeria is record four-time winner and defending champion.

In Buenos Aires, the Golden Eaglets are expected to play a couple of high grade friendly matches against their Argentine U-17 counterparts and U-20 teams of either Racing or Boca Juniors.

The Golden Eaglets in the meantime, rounded off their preparations in Nigeria on a winning note after handing out a 1-0 and 3-1 defeats to Ace Football Academy and Kaduna Selected Team on Saturday and Tuesday respectively at the Abuja National Stadium.

Author: NFF Admin