Eaglets' Captain Banks On Nigerians' Support

As team gets Cadbury's $6,500 prize
WITH his eyes firm on retaining the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy, which the country won in South Korea in 2007, Golden Eaglets' captain, Fortune Chukwudi, has called on his compatriots to come out en masse to support Nigeria against New Zealand in their second round clash.

The Golden Eaglets will meet New Zealand at the National Stadium, Abuja, tomorrow with a view to getting a quarter-final ticket. Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Chukwudi said the team needed the backing of Nigerians at this time, adding that he was looking forward to a stadium filled with cheering Nigerian supporters.

"We thank Nigerians for the support we have received from them so far, and we want them to continue to support us in a big way until we win the trophy," he said. "There are so many good people in this country and we love them all. We are not bothered about the insignificant few who only want to destroy."

Chukwudi and company have scored six goals and conceded four in the tournament so far, but this is the knockout stage and they must take their chances like never before. He admitted this, saying: "Yes, we know there is never a second chance in the knockout stage. We are prepared for battle and the prayers of Nigerians will see us through."

Chukwudi and his deputy will receive the cash prize of $6,250 from Cadbury Nigeria Plc for their 25 shots on target in the first round of the tourney. The presentation will be made at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, with top Cadbury officials in attendance.

Meanwhile, the Eaglets trained at the Aguiyi Ironsi Barracks yesterday evening, as they did on Monday, and will use the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium today, being 24 hours before the clash with the boys from Down Under. None of the players is injured as coach John Obuh and his technical team plan their assault on New Zealand.

Chieftains of the Abuja Sub-seat of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), led by Taiwo Ogunjobi, are already making concrete plans to see that the National Stadium is filled to capacity for tomorrow's match.

Victory over New Zealand will take Nigeria to the quarter-finals for a date at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, with the winner of the tie between Mexico and Korea Republic.