Despite pressure from different quarters, Kwara state has been offered the advantage of camping the nation’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, in preparation for the U-17 Male West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Regional tournament, scheduled to hold between December 5th to 20th, in the Benin Republic.
The team is expected to camp in Ilorin for 30 days, ahead of the competition.
According to reports, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in a letter signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, had formerly forwarded a request to the state Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his consideration and approval.
The NFF is requesting the Kwara government for support, in camping the team of 50 players and 12 officials, as they are expected to get to the Benin Republic from Kwara state.
If approved, Kwara youth clubs, including the famous Nigeria youth football development platform, the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) will benefit greatly, from the opportunity.
Kwara, regarded as the home of football, had played host to a number of age-grade national football teams, especially during qualifier series, following the availability of facilities and man-power.
The Golden Eaglets, champions of Africa in 2001 and 2007, and five-time world champions will contend with the Black Starlets of Ghana and the Baby Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire, in Group B.
Group A has hosts Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, and Togo. The winner of the tournament will represent the zone at the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations that will take place in Morocco in the month of March.
NFF in September named Coach Fatai Amoo as Head Coach of the U-17 team. Other coaches are Ahmed Lawal Dankoli (Assistant Coach), Nnamdi Onuigbo (Assistant Coach), Hassan Abdallah (Assistant Coach/Scout), and Danlami Kwasau (Goalkeeper Coach)
