"We're motivated by Golden Eaglets to win in Costa Rica, says Chiejine

Assistant Coach of the Nigeria U17 women national team, Ann Chiejine,
has said that the success of the Golden Eaglets at winning the 2013
U17 World Cup in UEA have motivated the Flamingoes ahead of its FIFA
U17 women World Cup in Costa Rica.

Nigeria will begin its campaign against China in Group D on Sunday at
the tournament that holds from March 15th to April 4th.

Chiejine who spoke on the
mood of the team ahead of its opening game
against China said the team is fully prepared for the challenges and
hope to take all games seriously.

"Yea, I believe in our girls so much - they know why they are here and
it is not for jamboree. Little tips we have about China shows they are
more attacking conscious and if they leave their defense open,
hmmm...?

"Our boys, the Golden Eaglets wining the U17 World Cup have given the
girls a morale booster that they can do it too. They will put
everything they have. I think our first game is important as the final
match and by God grace after the match (China) we should be able to
laugh,"say the first Super Falcons goalkeeper.

In her assessment of the team after over three months of preparation,
she said, "We have prepared enough right from Nigeria - we played
series of friendly matches, we lost only one, drew one and won the
rest- we have trained enough, we have done everything we could do in
terms of tactical, technical and physical aspect of it, which the
girls have adapted well to.

"There is understanding and cohesion in the team - we are not going to
leave any stone unturned -we will do our best with the preparation we
have had, I think the girls are in high spirit and ready to go," the
assistant coach assured.

Meanwhile, the former Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiejine has appealed
to the four players dropped from the 25-man list not to lose focus,
she encouraged them to work hard for more opportunities with the U 17
and U 20 levels of the women National teams.

"We had 30 minutes chat with the girls; it is not that they are bad
players but it not just their time yet. They should be happy making
the 25-man list; it's an experience for them, many started with us but
were dropped during the screening.

"It's an eye-opener for them and ability to stand-up when you fall
makes you what you are. The most important thing for them is to
continue to train, not to relent and work hard as there will be
opportunity ahead for them in the U17 and U20 next time," she urged.