News reaching the sports desk of CEOAFRICA states that the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, has urged the Nigeria U-17 side to bring the World Cup to Africa.

Hayatou, who has been in-charge of the CAF since 1988, made this declaration when he paid a courtesy visit to the team, along with CAF first Vice-President, Almamy Camara, and FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed Raouraoua in the UAE.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Hayatou assured the team of Africa’s support:

“You have displayed a high level of skills and intelligence in this tournament that we have not seen in an African team for a long time.

“I am not surprised at your progress because I saw you at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco and I was highly impressed.

“I am particularly excited with your performance against Uruguay, in spite of missing a number of injured players.

“I believe you are already in the final. The African football family is fully behind you,” Hayatou was quoted in the statement as saying.

Furthermore, the CAF boss urged the Eaglets to forget the country’s triumphs in the past and focus on writing their own names in gold.

“Nigeria has won the competition three times before, but that was done by other players.

“Now, it is your opportunity to write your own names in gold. I believe you have the talent, intelligence and resilience to go all the way,” he said.

In his respond, Eaglets Coach Manu Garba said the visit of CAF president will motivate his boys to go all out for the trophy.

“We will take our remaining challenges in the tournament one at a time, starting with the semi-final game against Sweden on Tuesday evening,” he said.