Abuja — The Abuja Sub-Seat of the Local Organising Committee of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 will today begin giving out 40,000 free tickets paid for by the Federal Capital Territory Administration ahead of the Nigeria, New Zealand round of 16 clash.

The sub-seat is also providing six urban mass luxury buses at strategic points in the capital city to convey fans to and fro the stadium on Thursday.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, Chairman of the Abuja Sub-seat and chairman of the technical committee of the NFF, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, while appealing to Abuja fans to turn out en-mass to support the team said, the tickets will be distributed to fans at strategic places in Abuja including, Wuse Market, Garki Area One, Lugbe junction, Nyanya (Under the Bridge,) Mararaba (Under the flyover), Karimo, Gwagwa, Life Camp (opposite Julius Berger Junction), Kubwa and Gwagwalada.

The former NFA Secretary General stressed that the team needed support of Nigerians at this crucial stage. "It is our national team. We have to support them because it is our own. We do not have any other national team to call our own but the Golden Eaglets,"

He further appealed to the fans not to boo the boys even if they are not doing well, adding that the goals can come at any time even within the extra time duration.

"Fans should not boo the boys. The players are still very young and should not be booed. If we continue to support the team, they will do well and when they do well, it is to the credit and glory of Nigeria. We believe in the team and Nigeria should give them maximum support," Ogunjobi added.

He equally used the opportunity to express the appreciation of the Abuja Sub-seat to the Minister of the FCT, Sen. Adamu Aliero for all his support of buying 40,000 tickets for each of the matches that have been played in Abuja. He also thanked the Minister of National Sports Commission (NSC) Engr. Sani Ndanusa saying they have been helping the Sub-seat to succeed.