Golden Eaglets rounded off their training at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja on Tuesday brimming with optimism of an impressive result in their double header international friendly match against Egypt in Kaduna today and Friday.
Today’s match slated for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium at 4:00pm would be Eaglets’ 10th match under coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) and he has impressed it upon the players to take the forthcoming games with due seriousness.
“We are in Kaduna to play Egypt and I must confess, this is our biggest test yet since we started forming this team, “said Amuneke who incidentally made his name playing for Egyptian top side, Zamalek Football Club in the 1990s.“It is important for us to put up a good performance because Nigerians expect so much from this team. “It is great to play against Egypt because I consider the country my second home.“We seek improvement every day and the players have realised this,” he said.
A squad of 25 players led by Captain Kelechi Nwakali accompanied with nine officials, travelled to Kaduna from Abuja on Tuesday.
Defender Ayodeji Bamidele, one of the mainstays since the inception of the team, said the challenge against Egypt offers them new experience.“We have played some matches before now including the tournament in Togo which was against teams from West Africa, “said Bamidele who was picked from the Abuja College of Football.“We know that Egyptians are good footballers but we are going to do our best against them in both matches.
The Egyptians in the meantime, arrived Abuja on Monday and are already in Kaduna for the eagerly awaited international friendly matches.
