The Flying Eagles have stepped up its preparations for the crucial 2013 African Youth Championship qualifier in South Africa after it secured the use of the training ground at the University of Ilorin. “It’s a big step for us as it is a big natural grass pitch, which is in a very good condition,” said Flying Eagles team co-ordinator Chika Nwankwo.
“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ishaka Oloyede, was very supportive and promptly approved our request to use the training ground.”
The national U20 team has been training in Ilorin since August 22 ahead of a September 22 clash with its South African counterparts. It has been training at the Kwara State Stadium, which has an astro turf pitch, as well as the Kwara Football Academy. The match in South Africa will be played on a grass pitch.
Meanwhile, players of the Flying Eagles whose clubs won major honours this past season have celebrated with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Ilorin.
The players are Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars, Nigeria Premier League champions), Alhaji Gero (Enugu Rangers, league runners-up) as well as the Lobi Stars pair of Moses Orkuma and Tony Okpotu, whose club will feature in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup after they finished third in the league. “I’m very proud to win my first league championship in my first season in the Premier League. Now I want to win more with Pillars as well as with the Flying Eagles,” said ex-Pillars midfielder Abdullahi, who played a total of 28 matches as Pillars annexed their second league crown in four years.
“Rangers gave me a big chance and that is one of the reasons I’m with the Flying Eagles now,” said Gero, who has thus far scored three of the four goals the Flying Eagles scored in the qualifying series for the 2013 African Youth Championship.
“I feel great that I helped Rangers this past season and our wonderful fans have something to celebrate after such a long wait.”
“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ishaka Oloyede, was very supportive and promptly approved our request to use the training ground.”
The national U20 team has been training in Ilorin since August 22 ahead of a September 22 clash with its South African counterparts. It has been training at the Kwara State Stadium, which has an astro turf pitch, as well as the Kwara Football Academy. The match in South Africa will be played on a grass pitch.
Meanwhile, players of the Flying Eagles whose clubs won major honours this past season have celebrated with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Ilorin.
The players are Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars, Nigeria Premier League champions), Alhaji Gero (Enugu Rangers, league runners-up) as well as the Lobi Stars pair of Moses Orkuma and Tony Okpotu, whose club will feature in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup after they finished third in the league. “I’m very proud to win my first league championship in my first season in the Premier League. Now I want to win more with Pillars as well as with the Flying Eagles,” said ex-Pillars midfielder Abdullahi, who played a total of 28 matches as Pillars annexed their second league crown in four years.
“Rangers gave me a big chance and that is one of the reasons I’m with the Flying Eagles now,” said Gero, who has thus far scored three of the four goals the Flying Eagles scored in the qualifying series for the 2013 African Youth Championship.
“I feel great that I helped Rangers this past season and our wonderful fans have something to celebrate after such a long wait.”
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