Paris, France - The Nigeriens in France are mobilising resources to support their national team, the MENA, which is participating for the first time in the African Cup of Nations which opens on Saturday in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

One of the organizers, Adam Mérémi Maïna of the Association of Nigeriens in IIe-de-France told PANA in Paris: 'It seemed important for us, as Nigeriens, to take part in this mobilization for the MENA. The ambassador of Niger in Paris, Nigerien artists, students, trainees, all the Diaspora are mobilised for a meeting on 28 January to raise funds.'

The MENA is in group C with Morocco, Tunisia and Gabon, the co-host with Equatorial Guinea,

'We believe in the chances of our team, considering its brilliant performance in the qualifiers. Do not forget that we qualified at the expense of great football nations like South Africa and Egypt,' he said.

Sixteen teams, divided into 4 groups, will play from 21 January to 12 February with the hope of winning the 28th African Cup of Nations. Footbal giants South Africa, Cameroon, Egypt and Nigeria failed to qualify. that after raising funds to help the team in its prepations, the Nigerien Diaspora would on 28 January organise a meeting to support the team mates of Maazou Moussa Ouwo (CSK Moscow) with the participation of Nigerien musicians and the display on a giant screen of the Niger-Gabon match.

Pana 22/01/2012