8th July, 2010
Nigeria’s Super Falconets are in high spirits, landing in Germany for the FIFA U-20 World Cup after President Goodluck Jonathan lifted the two-year ban on Nigerian football.
The Falconets arrived in Germany early today with high expectations ahead of the kick off date of the World Cup on 14 July, 2010.
Coach of the team, Adat Egan and his players were full of praises for Jonathan for giving them the chance to be part of the World Cup in Germany. They promised to give a good account of themselves when the tourney begins.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, board member, Princess Hannah Jegede, has warned the Nigerian ladies to beware of England in the World Cup. Nigeria are grouped alongside, Mexico and Japan in Group C and Jegede, Head of the NFF’s Female Football Department, said England will be a hard nut to crack in the competition.
“I see England as a tough team in our group. I have confidence that we will not only qualify from the group stage but reach the semi final stage,†she said.
Coach Egan said his team are not afraid of any team, adding that his players are ready to give their opponents a good run for their money in the group stage. He said his target is to reach the semi final stage.
“Nigeria reached the quarter-final stage of the last tournament. Our target this time is to surpass that. I will be fulfilled if I lead this team to the final of the World Cup,†said Egan.
The Falconets qualified in for Germany 2010 by drubbing Zimbabwe 10-1 on aggregate before they thrashed their South African counterparts 12-3 over two legs.
The Falconets will begin their World Cup campaign against England on 14 July at the Augsburg Stadium, play Japan after three days before their last match against Mexico on 21 July in Bochum city, Germany.
—Sunday Akintoye