Sultan charges Eaglets to win U-17 AYC title

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has charged the Golden Eaglets to bring the African Under-17 Championship trophy to Nigeria as he prayed for the team’s successful outing at ‘Niger 2015’ holding in Niger Republic between February 15 and March 1.
The national U-17 team in Sokoto to finalise their preparations for the tournament, paid a courtesy call on the ruler in his palace on Monday at the request of Kogunan Sakwatto, Mallam Danladi Nasir Bako – Sokoto State Commissioner for Information.
In the presence of some of his high-ranking palace chiefs, the Sultan, a keen follower of soccer, advised the youngsters to be disciplined and focused on the assignment at hand in Niger Republic to bring honour to the country.
‘I am very happy to receive you on behalf of the hospitable people of Sokoto and I want to believe this is the first time some of you are coming to the palace,’ the Sultan told his guests led by Chief Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke.
“In fact, this is the first time we are hosting a national team here at the palace and I am particularly delighted to formally welcome you all to the palace as this would afford you the opportunity to know that the Sultan is a human being like you.”
The Amirul Mumineen said he was thrilled that the team dimmed it fit to pay him a courtesy call and seek blessings before embarking on the trip to Niger. He counselled that the team should remain good ambassadors of the country. He further counselled the officials to continue to play fatherly roles to the players who he warned should obey without question.
He said further: “We want you to be good ambassadors of this country when you go to Niger and personally, I want you to bring the trophy again to Nigeria. But even as you do this, you must be disciplined and listen to your coaches because without discipline, you cannot achieve much even as a footballer.”
The former military officer further counselled the players never to neglect their education and never to be carried away with the stardom of being footballers.
Both Amuneke and team captain, Kelechi Nwakali, took turn to thank the Sultan and the palace chiefs for finding time out of their busy schedules to host and offer prayers on behalf of the team. The captain promises to do everything humanly possible and in the true spirit of sportsmanship, to conquer the entire continent in Niger.