Malian sports minister tips Eaglets for glory in Morocco

Hameye Foume Mahalmadane, the Malian Sports Minister, has tipped the Golden Eaglets as a strong contender for the 2013 African Under-17 Championship in Morocco.

The Self-styled New Nigerian Golden Eaglets recorded the best qualifying results with a 100 percent of six wins in as many wins scoring a fantastic 21 goals and conceding just one goal.

Apart from the impressive record, the Malian sports minister reportedly told the Nigerian Ambassador to Mali that he was pleasantly surprised with the zest displayed by the Nigerian lads against a supposedly stronger Junior Eagles of Mali.

“I was with the Malian sports minister at the VIP stand to watch the match and he was hugely impressed with your performance,” revealed His Excellency Ilya Nuhu, the Nigerian Ambassador."Based on your performance against Mali, their minister told me you would be one of the best teams in Morocco and we would be happy if you can make the prediction come true.''

Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has warned the Golden Eaglets to preserve their form and fitness as the players would soon embark on a break after this weekend’s commemorative match for Governor Godswill Akpabio’s Golden jubilee anniversary in Uyo.

Maigari who spoke through the NFF’s Director Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme during breakfast on Wednesday, enjoined the players not to get carried away over their qualification for the African Under-17 Championship in Morocco

“As a federation, we are delighted with what you have achieved but we want you to know that this is just the beginning,” Maigari was quoted as saying. “We don’t want you to be distracted and get carried away that you have arrived particularly when you go on break.

“Please don’t let anybody fool you that you are now as good as  Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo and be disciplined  so that you can continue from where you stopped when you resume camping early next year,” added Maigari.