Feeling the pulse of Niamey

The Young Mena of Niger Republic may be out of the 2015 Caf Africa Junior Championship taking place in their capital, Niamey, the locals are still all up in their voices enjoying every bit of the football on display.

Young and old have thronged the two stadia used for the competition to cheer their adopted sides to victory.

Niger Republic lost 0-2 to Nigeria on match day one and lost again to Zambia which meant they were eliminated.

A 2-1 win over Guinea on Saturday meant some pride was restored after they bagged their first win and points of the competition.

Supersport.com toured Niamey to feel the pulse of the locals as regards the competition and sought to know what they thought was wrong with their team crashing out early in the competition.

Souleymane Daouda, a coffee seller on Zinder road in Niamey had this to say: "I'm happy Niger hosted a tournament like this, it's the first time it has happened. Pity we didn't qualify for the World Cup but I'm sure we will get better as time goes in in future competitions.

"I hope the government does not disband the team. I have seen a lot of talent in the team and we should try to keep them together so that we can have a strong Mena (name of the national team) in the future."

Martins Chima, a Nigerian footballer, who plays for Niamey side, Olympic, also had some interesting things to say as regards the competition.

Chima, who told supersport.com he just joined the local side from the Togolese league, wants Nigeria to win to cement their place as a football powerhouse in Africa.

"I had a bet with my Nigerien teammates that Nigeria will lift the trophy. I hope for my sake they do. I boasted that Niger will go out and Nigeria will win the cup.

"I've got one prediction right. I hope I get the second one right too. The boys have done us proud and I'm sure they will also do well at the World Cup.

"I also wish to play for my country one day. That is my dream," Chima said to supersport.com while laughing.

Soumana Idrisou operates an eatery near the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey where he sells food and beverages to fans who troop in to watch the games at the magnificent edifice on match days.

A self-confessed admirer of Nigerian football, he reeled out the names of Super Eagles players, past and present to supersport.com's amazement and says his dream is travel to Nigeria to watch the Super Eagles play live.

"I don't like the composition of our Junior Mena (making referencing to allegations that some members of the squad are not based in Niger Republic).

"They should have selected our boys based here not some in academies in Ghana whom we have never seen play before. I think that was the issue with the team.

"We didn't see them play before the competition started so that we could take a good look at the team and see what they are made of. But I think that the team can grow and be better.

"I want Nigeria to win the cup. I love the Super Eagles. Victor Moses is my favourite player and I want you (supersport.com) to help me attend a Super Eagles match live if it will be possible. I'll be grateful if it happens. It's been my dream for years," Idrisou said.

Salamatou Mousa, the only lady who agreed to speak to supersport.com was overjoyed at seeing visitors in her hometown and says she wishes the tourney can continue for another two weeks.

"As you can see my eatery is just by the stadium and I've made tonnes of cash, selling food and beverages. I didn't have time to watch any of the games but I watched two of Niger's matches on the telly.

"I wish the tournament can continue so that I'll make more money. I'm not a big football fan but I want Nigeria to win. I don't want Mali to win because they always boast of being better than us. I prefer Nigeria," she said.

The Caf Africa Under-17 championships will surely leave lasting memories for the Nigerien populace for years to come. They certainly love their football here.