GOLDEN EAGLETS CONQUER THE WORLD - SEE PICTURES & VIDEOS

VICTORIOUS EAGLETS

When the U17 World Cup hosted by UAE commenced on 17th October 2013, people who had watched the Africa qualifying championship especially  the final where the Eaglets recorded their first and only defeat till date knew that these boys would do well in the World Championship.

I personally had no doubt as I sang the praises of Two players in particular, Kelechi Iheanacho and Isaac Success. The Two players showed almost perfect understanding upfront. Alas, more young stars exhibited great skills & techniques. The list is just so endless... Yahaya, Alampasu, Okon, Awoniyi, the whole team is just perfect. 

Every department of the team had great substitute waiting to showcase their  gift. So when the powerful "Isaac Success" who scored one of the best goals of the tournament in the 3-3 draw against Sweden in the group stages got injured, Awoniyi proved to be a great replacement ending the tournament with 4 goals and 5 assists.

The team broke the record for most goals ever any U17 WC scoring 26 goals and also ended the tournament undefeated. Nigeria have now won the tournament a record 4 times.

The final game saw them zoom past Mexico, a team they thrashed 6-1 in the group stages. The exceptional display in the final by captain fantastic (Muhammed), golden glove winner(Dele Alampasu), consistent golden ball winner who scored 6 goals and assisted 7 (Kelechi Iheanacho) ensured that the Mexicans went home with the silver medal after their equally fantastic display since the 6-1 by Nigeria earlier.

The NFF deserves accolades for giving the coaches led by Garba(who assisted the late Tella when Nigeria won in South Korea - 2007), and assisted by Two ex-internationals, Emmanuel Amuneke and Nduka Ugbade a chance to do their job. 

Kudos also goes to the various academies that groomed these players, hope is not lost at all for our football. It is perhaps the greatest source of joy we have as a nation at the moment considering the inherent hardship. 

Watch Videos of all the games the Golden Eaglets played in the championship below.......

                                                                 NIG 3 MEX 0 (FINAL)

                                                     NIGERIA 3 SWEDEN 0 (S-FINAL)

                                                           NIG 2 URU 0 (Q-FINAL)
               

                                                          NIG 4 IRAN 1 (2ND ROU ND)

                                                         NIG 5 IRAQ 0 (G STAGE)

                                                            NIG 3 SWE 3 (G, STAGE)

                                                          NIG 6 MEX 1 (G. STAGE)