11th anniversary of Golden Eaglets victory: Former skipper beckons on Gov Otu over house pledge by Cross River state govt
By Ifeanyi Eduzor
Former Golden Eaglets skipper, Musa Muhammed , has for the umpteenth time pleaded to with the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu to redeem the house pledge made to the players and officials of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team by his processor.
Today, Friday, November 8, 2024 marks the 11th anniversary when the Coach Manu Garba-led side extended the country’s grip on the cadet trophy with her fourth title following 3-0 obliteration of Mexico in the final in Abu Dhabi.
The then Cross River State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke on behalf of the people and the state, promised the Golden Eaglets team including 21 players and 10 officials, houses when he hosted the squad for doing the country proud in the United Arab Emirates at the Government House in Calabar 11 years ago
“They should help us plead with the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Edet Otu to help us fulfil the promise made by the previous administration since 2013. We hope and pray that the current Governor can help us and fulfil the promise made by the administration of former Governor, Liyel Imoke,” Muhammed said.
“We are hopeful the present Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu is going to help do that. The state government promised all the players and officials houses in Calabar but up till now, we have not heard anything from them.
“We have tried everything possible to reach out to the state government for them to know our plights.”
Muhammed noted that the house gift pledge made by the then Governor, Imoke was not misplaced because the Golden Eaglets spent about one and a half years altogether in Calabar preparing for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup which they won in the United Arab Emirates.
The defender opined that they would be more than delighted if the promised house gifts become a reality to the members of that Golden Eaglets team and the officials that toiled to ensure Nigeria won the cadet World Cup in 2013 despite all the odds.
“We are children of Cross River too because we had all our preparations and camping for the FIFA Under 17 World Cup there. If I am asked where I can leave besides Kano I will choose Cross River because it is very peaceful and filled with lovely people.
“I really enjoyed staying there because we stayed for almost a year and a half there camping. We have about three of our players from there. It was very exciting to us to win the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and we would be happier if this promise is fulfilled,” he said.
