Five-time U 17 world champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria landed in Lome, Togo, ahead of the West African Football Union (WAFU B) U17 Tournament taking place in Lome, Togo 5th – 20th January 2021.
Host nation, Togo will play Niger on Tuesday in the opening game of the West Africa regional qualifying tournament.
The 37- man Nigerian contingent comprising of officials and players landed at the new Gnassingbe Eyadema International Airport (Aéroport International Gnassingbé Eyadéma 10.48am local time.
It was led by Garba Lawal, former Super Eagles midfielder, now the chief technical officer of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Prior to leaving Nigeria, the officials and players had COVID – 19 tests done, which all came out negative.
The team is lodged at Hotel Novela Star at the outskirt of Lome and after having lunch, the players later had a light training/ walkout at the beach to shake – off any jet lag among the players.
And as football passionate Nigerians look forward to when the Eaglets will file out against the Baby Elephants of Ivory Coast, Fatai Amoo, head coach of the team has said that the focus and determination of team is to begin the tournament on a good note by beating the Ivoriens on Wednesday.
“We wanted the players to shake – off the travel stress and get their bodies physically conditioned for the task ahead against Ivory Coast and the focus is to win the game,” Amoo told thenff.com in Lome after the team’s training.
“We want Nigerians here in Togo and back home to support the team. The players are determined, very eager to learn and we hope for a favourable result against Ivory Coast on Wednesday,” he said.