Abuja — Gbenga Elegbeleye, Director-General, National Sports
Commission (NSC), said on Tuesday expressed optimistic that Nigeria
could win the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Russia.
Elegbeleye said this at a reception organised in honour of the victorious Flying Eagles by NSC.
He said the current Flying Eagles could win the World Cup when they graduate to Super Eagles in the near future.
The Flying Eagles won all their matches at the just-concluded Africa Youth Championship (AYC).
The team defeated host Senegal in the final to lift the cup for the seventh time.
"About 11, 12 years ago in my house in Akure, I remember Coach Manu Garba, telling me that Nigeria can win the World Cup in 15 years.
"I am still holding to that statement. He said in 15 years Nigeria can develop a team that can win the World Cup.
"So, when he won the Under-17 World Cup, I laughed. Now your team has won the under-20 African Championship and preparing to go for the Under-20 World Cup.
"Twelve years ago should be 2018. So, I can see these young stars as probably the team that will win World Cup for Africa", he said.
Amaju Pinnick, Chairman, Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said the team would receive all the support it needed to win the World Cup.
Pinnick who was represented by Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedimma, an NFA board member commended the NSC and President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting the football house in its endeavours.
He said the support was partly responsible for the successes achieved in football in the country.
He said that the success would continue until the Flying Eagles lifted the under-20 World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand.
Taiwo Awoniyi, who spoke on behalf of the team, commended the NFA, NSC and Jonathan for their support for the team.
"Our plan was to qualify and win the nations cup which we just did. Our coaches are the secret of our success.
"Without them there won't be us and without us there won't be them," Awoniyi said.
Manu Garba, the coach of the team urged the Federal Government to help the team to actualise its aim of winning the Under-20 World Cup by supporting it the more.
He called for the setting up of a 'refreshing' camp for the team in preparation for the World Cup.
Garba expressed the hope that the bulk of the Flying Eagles players would form the integral part of the future Super Eagles.
Godfrey Gaiya, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, told the players that the National Assembly would host them.
"You remember the last time the Super Eagles came back from South Africa with the Nations Cup; the House of Representatives deemed it fit to welcome them to the gallery of the National Assembly.
"That was the first time such a thing actually happened in the history of legislation in this country. I can assure you that your have equally done us proud.
"It will not be out of place with the permission of the NSC D-G and leadership of NFA, to give you a date," Gaiya said. (NAN)
Elegbeleye said this at a reception organised in honour of the victorious Flying Eagles by NSC.
He said the current Flying Eagles could win the World Cup when they graduate to Super Eagles in the near future.
The Flying Eagles won all their matches at the just-concluded Africa Youth Championship (AYC).
The team defeated host Senegal in the final to lift the cup for the seventh time.
"About 11, 12 years ago in my house in Akure, I remember Coach Manu Garba, telling me that Nigeria can win the World Cup in 15 years.
"I am still holding to that statement. He said in 15 years Nigeria can develop a team that can win the World Cup.
"So, when he won the Under-17 World Cup, I laughed. Now your team has won the under-20 African Championship and preparing to go for the Under-20 World Cup.
"Twelve years ago should be 2018. So, I can see these young stars as probably the team that will win World Cup for Africa", he said.
Amaju Pinnick, Chairman, Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said the team would receive all the support it needed to win the World Cup.
Pinnick who was represented by Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedimma, an NFA board member commended the NSC and President Goodluck Jonathan for supporting the football house in its endeavours.
He said the support was partly responsible for the successes achieved in football in the country.
He said that the success would continue until the Flying Eagles lifted the under-20 World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand.
Taiwo Awoniyi, who spoke on behalf of the team, commended the NFA, NSC and Jonathan for their support for the team.
"Our plan was to qualify and win the nations cup which we just did. Our coaches are the secret of our success.
"Without them there won't be us and without us there won't be them," Awoniyi said.
Manu Garba, the coach of the team urged the Federal Government to help the team to actualise its aim of winning the Under-20 World Cup by supporting it the more.
He called for the setting up of a 'refreshing' camp for the team in preparation for the World Cup.
Garba expressed the hope that the bulk of the Flying Eagles players would form the integral part of the future Super Eagles.
Godfrey Gaiya, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, told the players that the National Assembly would host them.
"You remember the last time the Super Eagles came back from South Africa with the Nations Cup; the House of Representatives deemed it fit to welcome them to the gallery of the National Assembly.
"That was the first time such a thing actually happened in the history of legislation in this country. I can assure you that your have equally done us proud.
"It will not be out of place with the permission of the NSC D-G and leadership of NFA, to give you a date," Gaiya said. (NAN)
0 Comments
Good day precious one, We love you more than anything.