HEAD coach of the Golden Eaglets, Emmanuel Amuneke has described the draw of the 11th African U-17 Championship that pitched Nigeria against Niger, Guinea and Zambia in Group A as a fair deal.The former international stated that his team is focused on securing a ticket to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.'I think it is a fair grouping not minding the fact that we are going to face the host country Niger,' Amuneke said.'We are not going to underrate any of the teams and as I said before the draw, our sole objective in Niger is to qualify for the World Cup and after that, we can begin to talk about other things.'Indeed, the Golden Eaglets have their work cut out since they are going to battle against the host who their illustrious predecessors white-washed 10-1 on aggregate in the qualifiers for Morocco 2013, where they finished second and secured a ticket to the FIFA World Cup in the UAE - and eventually earned Nigeria a record fourth title.'We are aware of the task ahead of us and what happened between the Golden Eaglets and Niger the last time is immaterial now.'Our boys have to go out there and show that this set of Golden Eaglets is good in their own right and we must first secure a ticket to the World Cup,' the 1994 African Footballer of the Year saidThough Zambia and Guinea are making a return to the competition after a break since they failed to qualify the last time in Morocco, Amuneke said they won't be treated with kid gloves:'Both Zambia and Guinea showed they are a strong side during the qualifiers; so we are going to take all our matches seriously.'In the other half of the draw, defending champions Cote d'Ivoire will slug it out in Group B along with South Africa, Mali and Cameroon who incidentally were not in Morocco 2013.Niger 2015 will take place between February 15 and March 1 in Niger with the semi-finalists guaranteed a ticket to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held between October 17 and November 8, 2015 in Chile.Eaglets draw Niger, Zambia World champions, Nigeria has been drawn against host nation, Niger, Guinea and Zambia in the first round of the 11th African U-17 Championship.The competition is scheduled to hold from February 15 to March 1, 2015 in Niger Republic.The Golden Eaglets now under former Nigeria star Emmanuel Amuneke eliminated Congo and Gabon to reach Niger 2015 are drawn in group A.CAF General Secretary, Hicham El Amrani conducted the draw and was assisted by CAF executive committee member, Mohamed Raouaroaua, who doubles as president of the organising committee of the African U-17 Championship.The Golden Eaglets will battle their West African neigbour in the tournament opener on February 15 at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey, while Guinea and Zambia will clash in the other group A match later in the day at the same venue.Reigning champions, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, Mali and Cameroon make up Group B to be based at the Municipal Stadium also in Niamey.The Young Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire will face the Amajimbos of South Africa in the opening match of Group B on February 16, at the Municipal Stadium whilst Mali engages Cameroon later at the same venue.The semi-finalists will represent the continent at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
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