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The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi on Monday paid a visit to the camp of the U20 National Boys Team, Flying Eagles who are on the final leg of preparations for the WAFU B U20 Tournament.
Dr Sanusi, who was in Benin Republic where he was match commissioner for a CAF Confederations Cup match in Cotonou as well as put finishing touches to the Flying Eagles’ accommodation and welfare issues for the WAFU B Tournament, charged the players to do Nigeria proud.
Citing experiences playing in African tournaments, the General Secretary told the players they have to be physically and mentally ready for the challenge ahead.
“I must, first of all, congratulate you for being selected among all the players that came to try out for selection to represent Nigerian in the WAFU competition,” he said.
“You must use this a springboard to show your coaches and Nigerians that it was not a mistake that you were picked to represent the country. I must warn you it will not be easy. You have to try your best to be mentally and physically ready for the matches because it will not be easy.
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“You have to listen to your coaches and obey their instructions and most importantly, you must be disciplined at all times. You are not just representing yourselves and your families, but Nigerians who will look up to you to do the nation proud,” Dr Sanusi added.
The General Secretary also assured the players and officials that the Federation is totally behind them and will not relent in the area of their welfare. He stated that he was able to appraise the stadium where the games will take place and has also made sure all the necessary arrangements for the comfortable stay of the team in Benin Republic was sorted before he left.
“I was opportuned to be in Cotonou for a CAF Confederations Cup game and I used the opportunity to check on arrangements made for you. Everything is sorted now and it is left for you to do us proud when the competition begins.
“The NFF is also working towards making sure all your entitlements due to you are settled. You must be focused on the task at hand while you can be rest assured of our total support,” he added.
The Flying Eagles who are in Group B will start their campaign against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday at the Stade Charles de Gaulles in Porto Novo.
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The fans also charge Wazzer Dazzler sports minister and No Future Focus NFF with the following –
1) Please focus on your administrative duties, and leave the coaches to do their jobs.
2) Stay away from national team training grounds. Let your wazzer dazzling be in the board room. Dazzle us with good decision making and policies! If you must participate in training, ensure that you are also available for selection on match day!
3) Immediately reverse the requirement to have 4 home based players in the national team. The only acceptable criterion for invitations is MERIT. Geographical location is NEVER, EVER an acceptable criterion for player invitation!
4) Pay coaches, staff and players’ bonuses and other entitlements on time.
5) Ensure that support staff are qualified and competent to do their jobs.
6) Work towards ensuring that we have multiple world class pitches to host international games.
7) Get the league up and running.
8) Wazzer Dazzler, please leave football administration to the NFF! Stay out of it, lest we incur FIFA’s wrath!
This is not an exhaustive list, but in my opinion, these are the most important matters to be addressed currently.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation!