NFF president, Amaju Pinnick declared on Wednesday night that the 0-1 semi-final loss to the Amajimbos of South Africa at the ongoing African U-17 Championship in Niger Republic has not diminished the value of the Eaglets’ accomplishment.
“Certainly, every Nigerian yearned for the Eaglets to win the African championship trophy in Niger Republic after the boys reached the semi-final. They lost by a lone goal but we cannot accuse the players of lack of effort.
“The present NFF administration has continued to harp on the fact that it is not only concerned with winning trophies. We want to win trophies, but more than that, we want to build a sustainable football culture.”
Pinnick assured that the boys will not be treated like outcasts following the failure to reach the Championship final.
“The NFF will send a jet to pick the players after the third place match on Sunday. The technical crew remains intact and the NFF will give support to them to plug the necessary holes in the team so that we will have a squad capable of doing the nation proud in Chile.”
He also noted that Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire were eliminated in the group phase of the championship in Niger Republic.
The loser of the match between the young Syli Nationale of Guinea and the young Eagles of Mali in Thursday's semi-final duel will face the Golden Eaglets in a third place match prior to the final billed for Sunday in Niamey..
Meanwhile, Khanyiso Mayo, the son of former Bafana Bafana player Patrick Mayo, scored the only goal for the young South Africans in the 26th minute
Caption: Captain Kelechi Nwakali (left) and coach Emmanuel Amuneke during the post-match conference after the game against South Africa.
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