As participating teams representing their various countries arrive Nigeria to for the under-17 youth football championship competition, members of the Gambian team on Monday said they hoped to return to Gambia with the much coveted trophy.
The team, which arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport at about 9am with the Nigerian Eagle Airlines, said that they were ready to compete for the trophy just like any other nation participating in the tournament.
"I believe we are ready and prepared and that is why we are here; so we are set to go with the cup," said the coach, Tarek Siagy. He disclosed that his team has put in all efforts, stressing that it is now left for the boys to display what they have learnt on the football pitch.
The will to win
The Gambian coach, however, admitted that any country which puts up the best performance is bound to go with the trophy, but expressed confidence in his team.
"It is a competition, and anybody who comes out best can win the cup," he said. "But we are ready to scale through our group stage and do our best so as to go home with it (the trophy).
Asked if his team is ready to face the Nigerian Under-17 team here in the country, Siagy, who hails from Egypt, disclosed that his team will not be deterred if they are going to meet Nigeria after the group stages.
"Our first match will be against Iran, and our second against Holland, and the third will be against Columbia, and there after we will be meeting other countries in the knock out stages; so whether we meet Nigeria or not, the fact is that we are here for the competition," he said.
Meanwhile, one of the players of the team, who won't give his name, said they have put in their best and hope to go back to Gambia with the trophy. "Last week, the world focused on Egypt, now it is Nigeria and I am happy that we made it this far, so we are going to put our best in this competition because our people are looking up to us," he said.The Federation of International Football Under-17 2009 World Cup competitions to be hosted in Nigeria commences this Saturday.