Suwon: Golden Eaglets land in Korea as they prepare to take on England

Nigeria’s U-17 boys, Golden Eaglets, on Tuesday arrived the Korea Republic to contest in the four-Nation U-19 Suwon Continental Cup against England, Iran and hosts, Korea.

The Eaglets on Monday departed the country via Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos on a seven hour non-stop flight aboard Qatar Airways to Hamad International Airport in Doha, from where they embarked on another nine-hour flight and landed at Incheon Airport in Seoul 5:14pm local time (9:15 am in Nigeria), with temperature oscillating between three and five degree Celsius.

In Seoul, the contingent was welcomed by the organisers as well as a representative from the Nigerian Embassy, Mrs. Igwe before traveling on atwo-hour bus ride to Suwon City. Players and officials are lodged at the impressive Suwon High End Hotel.

Meanwhile, the Coach Manu Garba-led Golden Eaglets will open their account at the tournament on Wednesday against England at the Suwon World Cup Stadium – one of the stadia to host next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup.

However, England are in Korea with some British-Nigerians including Liverpool’s Ovie Ejaria who was omitted from the Eaglets’ 2013 FIFA World Cup-winning team as well as defender Fikayo Tomori, midfielder Joshua Onomah and forward Ademola Lookman, amongst others.

Hosts Korea kicked off the tournament on a winning note Tuesday evening with a 3-1 defeat of Iran. After playing England on Wednesday, the Golden Eaglets will trade tackles with Iran on Thursday and clash with host Korea Republic on Saturday.