The president of the Albanian Football Federation Armand Duka, was present today at the premises of “Tropical” Resort in Durres to meet the national U-17 boys team. The team is lodging there in preparation for the European Championship qualifiers, for which they have drawn to be in the same group as Wales, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Coach Xhemal Mustadanagic informed the president of the AFF on the condition of the team and its formation. President Duka then asked the football players directly and encouraged them to achieve positive results. “In the past three years, we have passed the group stages twice in the qualifiers for the European Championship U-17 and this is an achievement that should be valued. Of course, you will play in a tough group of teams, which work well with their youth programs but this should not discourage you. Instead, you will go there to show your values and those of Albanian football” – said among other things the President of the AFF. Later, he also noted that players of younger teams have a model, to which they should resemble strongly, the Albanian Senior National Team. “Those guys must be for you, younger football players, an inspiration and the highest example of dedication and sacrifices a player makes for their national team”. Coach Mustadanagic thanked the President for the support and encouragement. The U-17 team will hold their first match against Wales on Thursday.
