Charge D'Affairs, Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad (in suit) poses with the Golden Eaglets and their officials
The Golden Eaglets were hosted Monday afternoon by Embassy of Nigeria in Conakry following their superb performance in the 4-0 win against Guinea on Sunday.
The contingent was welcomed by His Excellency, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad, the Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of Chancery as well as other staffers.
The Embassy of Nigeria has seen to the general wellbeing of the Golden Eaglets since arrival here on Friday and the contingent was treated to sumptuous lunch complete with Nigerian dishes and assorted beverages.
“We have very happy to have you around here in Conakry particularly at the Embassy of Nigeria because this is your house," Muhammad said. “I want to put it on record that in a very long time, we are seeing young guys who are putting smiles on the faces of all Nigerians. Your performances have been excellent and thanks to your officials and Nigeria Football Federation for putting this team together”
He commended the Golden Eaglets’ fine conduct, asking the players to ensure qualification for the 2013 Under-17 championship to be hosted in Morocco.
“The level of the discipline of the players is exemplary and i implore you to keep it up,” he further said “We expect you to qualify as well as do well at the tournament’s proper in Morocco.”
Responding, Alhaji Muazu Suleiman, NFF board member and leader of the delegation to Conakry personally commended the Charge D'Affairs for being first and foremost, ‘a very humble man who has not allowed the pecks of office to become arrogant.’
“I want to use this opportunity on behalf of Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the President of the NFF to thank all the staff of the Embassy of Nigeria and especially the Charge D’Affairs for the excellent hospitality accorded to us since our arrival in Conakry since Friday," he stated.
“I don’t want to be diplomatic about this, we were in Niger recently and we did not get any support from the Embassy of Nigeria in Niamey but you have done things beyond our expectations.
“Frankly, I don’t think there is any city in Nigeria today outside Calabar that we are as free as we were with you. We won’t stop telling Nigerians the good deeds you’ve done to the Under-17 National team which is unprecedented. If we get anything better than this anywhere, what will it be?” he noted.
Both Golden Eaglets' Head coach, Manu Garba (MFR) and Ali-Baba Saliu spoke in the same vein, describing the team's various experiences in Conakry over the last few days as simply 'unforgettable!'
Meanwhile, The Golden Eaglets are due back in Lagos on Tuesday via Lome and are expected to move straight to camp in Calabar for their preparations ahead of the final round of qualifiers against Mali in the middle of November.