Nigeria Bids For Fourth U-17 World Cup

Bishop of Diocese of Okrika Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Tubokosemie Akere (right), discussing with Chairman, 10th Anniversary Planning Committee, Chief Nemi Adoki, during a press briefing in Okrika, yesterday.
Photo: Eberi A. Sampson.

Three times champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will today attempt a fourth victory in the FIFA organised Under-17 World Cup competition as they confront their Mexican counterparts in the grand finale of the on-going championship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Eaglets had won the competitions in 1985, 1993 and 2007 and emerged runners  up in 1987, 2001 and 2009 from nine appearances in the competition, which is in its 14th edition.
The Eaglets fourth title success today will largely depend on how committed and resilient they can be against the defending Champions, in today’s final encounter, their second meeting since the competition began.
Both teams had met in one of the Group F preliminary encounters which ended 6-1 in favour of the Eaglets.
In today’s game, the Eaglets however should not be carried away by their earlier demolition of Mexico but should as a matter of necessity approach the match with seriousness, commitment and resilience because they have much at stake.
On the other hand, the Mexicans who defeated the hard fighting Brazilian side through penalty shoot-outs in the quarter final stage of the competition and also sent Argentina home in the semi-final encounter, may be out with similar trick today against the Eaglets.
Parading the pedigree of dependable Champions, Mexico will do everything possible to stop the Eaglets from kissing the coveted FIFA trophy for a historic fourth time and also set the record of lifting the trophy back to back.
But in Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi, Musa Mohammed and Musa Yahaya, the Eaglets seem poised to lift the trophy for a fourth time.
Already, the Eaglets Coach, Manu Garba has promised that the Eaglets would not disappoint Nigerians, saying they would not be complacent and would also be wary of the Mexicans, their 6-1 trashing notwithstanding.
Again, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Alhaji Issa Hayatou has charged the Eaglets to set a tournament record by winning a fourth world title.
No Nigerian will be expecting less though, going by the words of Coach Garba and the pedigree of the Eaglets in the Under 17 World Cup Tournament.

Isaac Nwankwo