By: Odeh Favour
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, His Excellency Syndoph Paebi Endoni, has charged the Golden Eaglets to conquer the WAFU-B U-17 Championship and make millions of football-loving Nigerians proud.
Ambassador Endoni issued the challenge while hosting the national cadet team and their officials to a dinner at the Nigerian Embassy in Ouagadougou, ahead of the regional tournament’s kickoff.
The ambassador, a former basketball player and founder of the Rivers Hoopers (formerly Royal Hoopers), urged the youngsters to make the most of their privilege of representing the green-and-white.
“You have come here to represent Nigeria. I therefore charge you to fly Nigeria’s flag higher and higher. Win for us. Win for the millions of football-loving Nigerians all over the world,” Endoni charged.
While acknowledging that errors are part of the game, Endoni stressed the need for quick adaptation and an unwavering winning mentality.
“You may make mistakes on the pitch, but you must correct them immediately and ensure that you win all your games,” he stated.
He added that football remains a vital tool to steer youths away from criminality.
Ahead of the Eaglets’ opening fixture against the Niger Republic on Wednesday, the ambassador assured the squad of massive backing from the thousands of Nigerians residing in Burkina Faso.
“I want to assure you that Nigerians here will be at the stadium to support the team. The Nigerian community will give the team huge support in all its matches,” Endoni concluded.
