Ekwueme United to face River Plates

The trip which is being sponsored by United States Sports business and marketing firm, ‘KEAY Consult’ will prepare the team for the 2005 Nigerian challenge cup, the Imo State league and more importantly to strengthen sports ties and brotherhood between both countries, as well as helping to develop Nigeria’s professional soccer.

According to Gozie Ezeonwurie, apart from the exchange programme the tour will also help expose some of the talented players in the team.

“The trip will enable the young players get the necessary exposure and prepare them for the challenge of the 2005 FA Cup and league championship.

“Already we have confirmed friendly games with top Argentina sides. We will be playing against Newell’s Old Boys the last Argentina champions, River Plates of Buenos Aires and club Gibson Brown,” Ezeonwurie said.

The fourteen days tour billed for 8 -22 Februaryary will also attract scouts from Europe, Asia and South America, who are hoping to have another look at the team after they failed to secure the services of some of the players who had impressed in previous championships in Europe.

“We don’t want our players running into the hands of slave drivers. They are young and vulnerable so therefore we make proper arrangements for these agents to discuss properly with us.

“More than six of our players got offers from officials of top European club sides last year in Austria but we refused that sort of transition, we hope after watching them in Argentina a deal could be struck,” Gozie Ezeonwurie concluded.

While in Argentina, officials of the club will sign a contract with Westbroward United marketing representatives of River Plates which will give them affiliation to the Argentine club.

The side sponsored by the duo of Nigerian international Ifeanyi Ekwueme and his elder brother, Sunday Ekwueme (Vice President of the club) has been playing in the Nigerian FA cup since 2000 and made a decent run last season.

Ekwueme United is the current Champion in the Upper Austria Cup 2004 played in Wels – Austria.