Maigari Assures Nigerians Over Eaglets.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Aminu Maigari has said that he has utmost confidence in the ability of the Eaglets to secure qualification to the 2013 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in United Arab Emirate later in the year despite Wednesday’s loss to the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

Golden Eaglets for the first time conceded defeat after keeping an unbeaten run of 28 matches including 6-1 win over Black Starlets of Ghana in their opening game at the 2013 CAN Under-17.

The team is now second behind the Ivorians and would have their work cut out against
third-placed Congo Brazzaville on Saturday.

The Nigerians need an outright win irrespective of what happens in the other game between the Elephants and fourth-placed Starlets to ease their way safely into the semi-finals which also guarantees a ticket to the World Cup.
 
“It was unfortunate that the Golden Eaglets loss to Cote d’Ivoire but this is just a setback and wake up call for the boys to do more,” said Alhaji Maigari. “But my faith in these boys remained unshaken and I know they would make it up when they play against Congo on Saturday.”

He further said his confidence is reinforced after observing the reaction of the team after the unexpected loss to Cote d’Ivoire, urging Nigerians to keep faith with the lads.

“We are not just overrating these boys because we have seen what they can do even against supposedly better teams,” he explained.

“They have taken the defeat as part of their learning process. “They have beaten others in the past, so it’s a wake up for them. We still have great hope in these boys and by the grace of God they would qualify for the World Cup on Saturday,” he added.