The Nigeria U20 boys, the Flying Eagles got a surprise visitor at their Germany camp on Thursday when former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayegbeni paid a visit to the team.
Ayegbeni, who played for Nigeria at the 2000 Olympics in Australia said he decided to visit the team to motivate the players ahead of the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Poland.
The former Everton and Portsmouth striker was also happy to reunite with his former teammate Wilson Oruma who is the welfare officer of the team.
“I have played in the youth sides for Nigeria and I know what it means to these young lads (the Flying Eagles) to represent their country, ” the former striker said. “It was a pleasure to come here and speak with the boys and also encourage them go all out and do the country proud.
“I am happy with what I’ve seen in training and I urge them not to rest on their oars. They have the quality to do the country proud.”
Ayegbeni also applauded the technical crew for the blend of home-based and overseas-based players in the squad. The former Portsmouth striker opined that the blend will do Nigeria good as he also expressed happiness in meeting his former Super Eagles team-mate Wilson Oruma.
“The blend is good and I hope the boys will bond well before the tournament starts. The technical crew has done well with what I’ve seen and I believe Nigeria will go far in the competition. I urge them to win the Cup to celebrate President Buhari’s victory in the last elections. I am also very happy to meet Wilson (Oruma). He’s my former teammate and brother and it is nice seeing him today. I wish the team all the best in Poland and hopefully they win the trophy for the first time,” Ayegbeni added.
The Flying Eagles are currently in Germany for the final leg of preparation for the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup to be hosted by Poland, 23rd May – 15th June.
The Flying Eagles will take on Saudi Arabia U20 team on Sunday, 5th May in their second preparatory game after drawing 3-3 in their first test game against SC Freiburg.
