Former Nigeria international Pascal Patrick (MON) believes a lot of work is being done by the coaching crew of the U-17 National Team led by Emmanuel Amuneke, with tremendous support from Nigeria Football Federation, for the country to present a crack squad at the FIFA U-17 World Cup coming up in Chile later this year.

The Golden Eaglets failed to impress at the African U-17 Championship in Niamey in February, finishing in fourth place to pick up the last African ticket to Chile, thereby necessitating a retool ahead of the global youth fiesta taking place 17 October – 8 November.

“Frankly, the Golden Eaglets now look promising and I foresee a better performance in Chile all things being equal,” stated Pascal Patrick, a member of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympics football gold medal-winning team, after he watched the Golden Eaglets in Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Eko United Football Club. “It is very good that Amuneke has created healthy rivalry between the old
team that went to Niamey and the new boys recently recruited from an open screening exercise.”

Pascal, a domestic double winner of the League and FA Cup with Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan  in 1995, said it was imperative that Nigerians should rally behind the team’s quest for glory in Chile, expressing belief that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will always offer required assistance to the team.

“No doubt, the coaching crew led by Amuneke has carefully selected these players and what the team need now is the support of all football stakeholders for them to do well in Chile,” he noted.

Author: NFF Admin