'I love Nigeria, Eagles' says Milutinović

.Praises Eaglets preparations

Milutinovic

Erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Bora Milutinović has reiterated his delight at having coached the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Speaking in Qatar, Milutinovic revealed that he loved Nigeria and had no regrets working with the country's national soccer team which just won its third African title earlier this year.

The 68-year-old Bora, who alongside Brazilian Carlos Parreira, has taken five countries to FIFA World Cup, said he has good memories of his brief stint with Nigeria.

“I love Nigerians and I'm happy to have worked with the Super Eagles at the France'98 World Cup," he said.

Milutinovic also commended the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) for organising a training tour of the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha for the Golden Eaglets ahead of the CAN U-17 Championship in April.

The vastly-travelled Serbian, who guided Nigeria to the France'98 World Cup, said it was imperative that the Nigerian youngsters be exposed to quality training facility at a centre such as Aspire, was quoted by the team's media officer Morakinyo Abodunrin as saying that the development of youths would eventually translate to success at the senior level on a long term.

"I'm happy to hear that the Nigerian Under-17 team is here at Aspire for training," said the Serbian while on a short visit to the Aspire’s administrative block on Monday.

"There is no better place to be than Aspire and I'm happy that the Nigerian Federation has brought these boys here because it is good for Aspire and NFF," he reasoned. “I had other engagements and that was why i was not at Aspire to see the match.”

Bora, Global Ambassador to Qatar 2022 World Cup and Technical Advisor at Aspire, said it was imperative to prepare youth teams ahead of competitions.

He said: “It is important to develop and prepare young players particularly for a championship and it is good for Nigeria to be here.

Qatar is the best place to be and bringing your young players is very nice because we have excellent facilities at Aspire.”