Obuh, Okoro call for total support as team rounds off training
By Christian Okpara
GOLDEN Eaglets' Coach, John Obuh and his midfield wizard, Stanley Okoro, have called on Nigerians to rally round the national under-17 team as it strives to retain the FIFA World Cup it won two years ago.
Obuh, who has been in charge of the team since Henry Nwosu was relived of his job, told The Guardian that his boys were ready to do the country proud, adding, however, that the task would only be accomplished if Nigerians rallied round the team.
Although, he admitted that his boys were under pressure to deliver on home soil, he said the task would become easy if Nigerians saw the task as a collective duty.
"Our group has been tagged the group of death, but I can assure Nigerians that we are equal to the task.
"In fact, ever since the draws were made, my boys having been assuring me that we can surpass the expectations of our fans by going ahead to win this competition.
"But I must plead with Nigerians to stop seeing the team in negative light. Rather, everybody should come together to ensure that we retained the trophy," Obuh said.
Obuh's team will round off its preparations for tomorrow's opening game this evening.
To the main star of Nigeria's quest to win the competition for the fourth time, Heartland of Owerri's Stanley Okoro, the Golden Eaglets have all the quality to emerge successful in the competition despite the presence of some of the best youth teams in the world.
Okoro, nicknamed 'Little Messi' because of his similarity of play with the Argentine wizard, admits that the task was enormous, adding, however, that his team would thrive under the difficult situation.
"I know that most Nigerians don't give us any chance because of what has happened to our team, but after the training in Qatar I am more convinced that we have a winning team.
"Nigerians have been disillusioned by the recent results of the other national teams, Super Eagles and the Flying Eagles, so we must win to bring back the smiles on the faces of our people. But we need support to achieve that feat," he said.
Okoro, 16, is a left-footed winger who is often played on the right flank. He is fast and blessed with a good dribble.
He is the most experienced player in the Nigerian squad having featured for Heartland in both the Premier League and the CAF Champions League, where the Owerri outfit has reached this year's final.
He has proved his class with goals during the team's pre-tournament matches in Qatar, Ghana and the Gambia.
This tournament has already produced several Nigerian players like Victor Ikpeba, Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro and Wilson Oruma, who have gone on to establish themselves at full international level.
Nigeria opens the tournament tomorrow against Germany.
