CAF U-17: Pinnick charges Eaglets to show winning mentality against Ghana

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Pinnick has charged Nigeria’s Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets to show robust winning mentality against their opponents, the Black Starlets of Ghana in this weekend’s make or mar group B clash of the on-going AFCON qualifiers.

Pinnick told the players to believe in themselves and go for victory when he visited the team’s camp at the Hotel Novella Star in Lome, Togo, while admonishing the players to remain focused on the task of representing Nigeria very well at the tournament.

“Nigerians don’t want to know about tactics, just go, play and win the game. The mentality of Nigerians is winning, they don’t care how you win, just win. Winning gives Nigerians a lot of joy. So, I just want to crave your indulgence to represent Nigeria well. I’m happy that I can see all the players in this U 17 team, I can see that we have the youngest team in this tournament, which of course, I’m very proud of. It is a developmental football at this level. It does not mean that we do not want to win” Pinnick said.

He told the players that expectation from Nigerians is high and urged the team to remain focus ahead of the match.

“Nigerians want you to win so that you will be celebrated. We want you to be celebrated, it is very important that we must win. Just work hard and ensure we beat Ghana. The attitude we always display is that we can do it. That is the spirit under my leadership in the Nigeria Football Federation and that is what we expect from you. Your coach will tell you the technical and tactical way to achieve winning, but what I will tell you is that you are Nigerians and for you to be a Nigerian, you must be positively rugged to achieve your dream,” he said.

The Golden Eaglets fell 0-1 to Ivory Coast in their first match on Wednesday, and will now need to win on Saturday to have a chance of progressing in the tournament.

Nnenna.O