Eaglets Return To U.J Esuene After One Year Break

Golden Eaglets' Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has called on Nigerians especially football fans in Calabar and its environs to troop out en mass on Saturday when Nigeria host Gabon in a decisive CAN Under-17 qualifier, even as he hailed the magnanimity of Senator Liyel Imoke(CON) yet again.

Nigeria's Under-17 team finally returned to their 'hallowed turf' of the
U.J Esuene Sport Stadium in Calabar on Wednesday one year since their predecessors mauled Diamond Football Club of Umuahia 5-1 on September 21, 2013 when Chidera Eze grabbed a brace alongside Taiwo Awoniyi,Musa Yahaya and captain fantastic, Musa Muhammed.

It is on record that the 2013 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets won all their matches including three CAN Under-17 qualifiers and four international friendly matches at the U.J Esuene Stadium the last term.

The complex has been under renovation ahead of the forthcoming National Sport Festival in November and Amuneke is excited about Eaglets' return, calling on fans to troupe en mass for the cracker against Gabon.

But speaking after his wards' workout on Wednesday's evening as their first practice session ahead of Saturday's African Under-17 second leg-final round qualifier against Gabon, Amuneke has called on the fans to rally behind the Eaglets in their customary way.

"First and foremost, we want to really thank Governor Imoke and the people of Cross River State for their usual support to the Golden Eaglets," said the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.

"Calabar is our home and it is on record we have not lost a game at the U. J

Esuene Stadium.

"I'm using this opportunity to call on the fans to come and cheer us to victory on Saturday.

"We are going to do our best to make them happy on Saturday," he said. The former Nigerian international further said it was inappropriate to blame the condition of the U.J Esuene pitch for Super Eagles 2015 Africa Cup of Nations' qualifier loss to Congo, saying the Eaglets are battle ready for Gabon.