Golden Eaglets would commence their practice sessions in earnest on Monday at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project synthetic pitch ahead of their second leg-final round match against Mali this weekend.

A team of 18 players and officials safely arrived the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday evening aboard Arik Airlines from their Calabar camp base where they have won their three home matches including a 2-0 defeat of Junior Eagles of Mali.

The second leg of their game against Mali would be played on a synthetic pitch hence the shift to Abuja for the team to perfect its strategy ahead of the trip to Bamako.

Temperature on arrival in Abuja was put at 35°C which is similar to what was obtainable in Bamako at the same period and officials maintained the condition would suit their plans

“We thank God for granting us journey mercies from Calabar to Abuja and the players are really in high spirit looking forward to our first training session at the Goal Project on Monday,” stated Suleiman Abubakar, the coordinator of the team.

“Coming to Abuja is just the continuation of our preparations for the match in Bamako and it is strategic that the team play on a synthetic pitch before we travel to Mali.”

The first leg of the final round match penultimate Sunday had ended 2-0 in favour of the Golden Eaglets at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar. Nigeria is seeking a ticket to the 2003 African Under-17 Championship to be hosted in Morocco after missing the last two editions hosted by Algeria and Rwanda in 2009 and 2011 respectively.