The Golden Eaglets have arrived Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state from their Calabar camp ahead of key friendly matches as they intensify preparations towards the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.
A team of 33 players and eight officials sans Coach Manu Garba (MFR); Tayo Egbaiyelo (Team Secretary) and Captain Musa Muhammed who travelled to Abu Dhabi for the Official World Cup Draw, landed in Uyo at midday on Sunday accompanied by Mr. Greg Abang, the secretary of the Cross River Sate Football Association.
The trip was at the instance of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) since Calabar would be a beehive of activities this week with the hosting of this year’s Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Annual General Conference at TINAPA Business Resort In Calabar between August 25th and 30th.
Officials said it was very important that the national Under-17 team continue their preparations towards the World Cup without any atom of distraction hence the need to travel to Uyo-which incidentally was carved out of the present Cross River State-for friendly matches.
“It is part of our obligation to provide the enabling environment for the Golden Eaglets to have their training sessions without any hindrance at any given time,” affirmed Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme. “But we find it expedient to move the team to Uyo because Cross State is hosting the NBA conference this week.”
While in Uyo, the Golden Eaglets are expected to play at least one friendly match with a local-based team. The Golden Eaglets are not new to Uyo having being part of activities to commemorate the Golden Jubilee (50th) birthday anniversary of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), when they beat the Akwa Ibom U-17 Selected side 6-1 at the Uyo Township Stadium last December. The team meanwhile is expected back in Calabar by the weekend.
