U-17 AFCON: Bewarang counsels Eaglets ahead Niger clash

Newly–appointed National Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Bitrus Bewarang has urged the Golden Eaglets to be ready to learn from their coaches.

He made the admonition last weekend when he stormed the NFF/FIFA Goal Project to monitor the Eaglets’ training session ahead of the 2017 U-17 AFCON qualifier against the Junior Menas of Niger Republic billed for Saturday in Abuja.

Bewarang used the opportunity to interact with the team’s technical crew led by Manu Garba and to familiarise with the schedule of the U-17 side.

“I’m happy to be in your midst and to actually ascertain your progress and we are going to put our heads together to ensure the success of your programme. I’m always interested in the welfare of coaches and players, and with the cooperation of the NFF, you will get the desired support,” the 65-year-old tactician said.

“I’m happy you are with result-oriented coaches and I have known both Manu and Nduka (Ugbade) for a very long time and you have to listen to them as well as your other coaches for us to achieve good results,” Bewarang told the youngsters during the unscheduled visit.

Nigeria, who won a record fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy in Chile last year, was drawn bye into the second round by CAF in the race towards Madagascar 2017.

Last year, the Eaglets came fourth at the continental cadet championship hosted by Niger Republic, where they inflicted a 2-0 defeat on the Junior Menas in front of their fans at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché in Niamey.

Incidentally, Saturday’s match will be the fourth encounter between both sides in the last four years with the Golden Eaglets also claiming a 10-1 aggregate win in the qualifiers for the 2013 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco.

The Eaglets ahead of Saturday’s qualifier, will tomorrow tackle Piloter Football Academy of Kaduna at the National Stadium, Abuja, in what will be their seventh friendly against local teams.