WorldStage Newsonline-- The U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, opened camp in Calabar, capital of Cross River State, on Monday.

Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme said 40 players were invited for the second camping exercise following the one-week screening programme in Abuja that ended some weeks ago.

“We are indeed very grateful to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke (CON), for the grace granted the NFF for all-expenses-paid, one month camping exercise in Calabar for the Golden Eaglets,” he said.

“The Cross River State government of Governor Imoke and his administration have always been there for the NFF and Nigeria football. The administration hosted the African Nations Championship qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana in 2009 as well as the African Nations Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Madagascar in September 2010. Calabar was also one of the best centres during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009.

“Governor Imoke has underscored his love for the development of the Nigeria game by now accepting the Golden Eaglets, as they prepare for the qualifying series for the 2013 African Junior Championship in Morocco,” said Ikpeme.

The Golden Eaglets have been drawn to play Niger in September, in the first leg of a three-round qualifying series for the African Junior Championship Morocco 2013.