General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has enjoined the Flying Eagles to live up to expectations by lifting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

 

The NFF’s head of administration watched the Flying Eagles’ last training session in Nurnberg, Germany, on Saturday morning and after which he addressed the team.

 

“We pray that God will uplift you. You were the first team to give me a trophy when I assumed office as General Secretary; that was the African Youth Championship. It was three days after I got into office,” the General Secretary said.

 

“I now pray that you give me the World Cup.

 

“Nothing is impossible with prayers and determination. Hard work combined with prayers will make the impossible possible.”

 

He again pledged the total support of the NFF to the team.

 

“You will not lack anything in New Zealand and I believe you will deliver,” he assured.

 

The General Secretary also commended the coaches and backroom staff for doing well thus far, saying the sky will be just their stepping stone.

 

Taiwo Awoniyi responded to the heart-warming remarks of the NFF chieftain on behalf of the team.

“We thank you for this visit. We are very encouraged by this and we will justify the confidence you have in this team,” Awoniyi promised.

 

“The mentality of this team right from the U-17 level is that we play all our matches like a Cup final and win them.

 

“We know the expectations back in Nigeria are that we win the World Cup. This has not put us under any unnecessary pressure, but rather it has boosted our confidence so that we will return to Nigeria as world champions.”

 

 

Nigeria’s U-20 National Team will depart for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand from Frankfurt, Germany, after a three-week training camp in Nurnberg, Germany.

 

The team will be led by NFF Executive Committee member Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’.

 

The team will fly out of Frankfurt by 10pm on Emirates for a six and half hour flight to Dubai from which they will connect another flight to Melbourne, Australia,Monday morning.

 

They will then catch another flight to Auckland, New Zealand, early on Tuesday, before they board a local flight to their first round base of New Plymouth, where they will battle Brazil, North Korea and Hungary.

 

Their opening match is on June 1 against five-time champions Brazil.