Golden Eaglets of Nigeria yesterday made history by becoming the most successful team in FIFA U-17 World Cup when it recorded a 3-0 win over defending champions, Mexico at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi to win the 2013 edition in a classical style. Prior to the finals, Nigeria had earlier won the trophy in 1985, 1993 and 2007.
Apart from being the country that has won the trophy more than any other team, the Golden Eaglets also holds the record of being the highest runners- up of the biennial cadet world Cup; having played in three finals.
The final which was a re-match of the 6-1 win the Golden Eaglets inflicted on their Mexican counterparts during the Group stage of the competition, saw Nigeria which did not lose any match in the tournament winning the title for a record 4th time , one better than South American giants Brazil.
At the beginning of the match, the defending champions who also doubles as CONCACAF champions looked dangerous in the opening minutes, keeping the ball for a full two minutes, moving it around and making Nigerians chase them. El Tri even managed the first chance on goal after six minutes. Osvaldo Rodriguez crossed from the left, but Alejandro Diaz couldn’t keep his close-range effort the right side of the post.
Two minutes on and Ivan Ochoa – who scored twice in the semi-final win over Argentina – saw his off-balance header pushed over the bar by Dele Alampasu. The resultant corner kick was wasted by the Mexicans and Nigeria benefitted from it greatly through a well coordinated counter-attack. Kelechi Iheanacho collected the ball with only one Mexican defender in position.
He wasted no time in putting a good pass across to Taiwo Awoniyi who then gave it to Musa Yahaya whose shot was mistakenly tapped into the net by Mexican midfielder Erick Aguirre in the 9th minute for the first goal of the match.
After the opening goal, the Golden Eaglets increased the tempo of their attack with Musa Mohammed troubling the Mexican defence with his good runs thereby not allowing them to operate freely at both the midfield and attack.
However the Eaglets were happy to end the first half with a goal lead. At the beginning of the second half, both teams tried to score an early goal with constant attacks on each other’s 18-yardbox but it was the Golden Eaglets who were luckier, making it 2-0 in the 56th minute when team Captain Musa Mohammed unleashed a curling shot that the Mexican keeper, Raul Gudino, had no answer to.
With a quarter of an hour to the end of regulation time, Mexico managed to carve out a rare second-half chance, but Ochoa’s header from close-range slipped wide off as the South Americans began to cave in under the ceaseless pressure of the Nigerians.
Mohammed added a third goal with less than ten minutes to go, curling a sublime free-kick into the top-right corner to earn the Eaglets a 3-0 win. Speaking during a post match interview, Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba, noted that he was elated with the performance of the team.
“It is not only that we won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE, but the team was the most entertaining team of the tournament, highest goal scoring side and the most consistent team of the championship. “The final was a super display by the Nigerians, and I hope that the team will graduate to the U-20 national side, the Flying Eagles.
“I am very happy that we won the trophy for a record 4th time and I want to put on record that the win is an indication that the team has character, discipline and determination.
“The win is not only for Nigerians, but the entire African continent. So I want to congratulate Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world for this great feat. “If given an opportunity by the Nigeria Football Federation to lead the team again, I will be proud to take it up and I wish Isaac Success quick recovery from the injury he had during the competition,” Garba said.
Jonathan hosts victorious Eaglets tomorrow
Yuguda, Uduaghan, Kalu, Wada praise team
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their 3-0 triumph over Mexico in the final match of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Soccer Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president said on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians congratulated the Eaglets. In fulfillment of his promise of a heroes’ welcome for the triumphant Golden Eaglets on their return home, Jonathan would host a grand reception for the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House tomorrow at 7p.m.
According to him, the reception is in appreciation of the great honour and glory they have brought to their fatherland. Jonathan said he joined other very proud and happy Nigerians in saluting the glorious achievement of the Eaglets in winning the Under-17 Soccer championship for an unprecedented fourth time.
The president commended the Eaglets for the exemplary commitment, dedication, resilience, determination, patriotism and unity of purpose they displayed through the tournament to make Nigeria the World’s Under-17 Football Champion once again.
The president also urged the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to strive to ensure that the world-conquering Eaglets, who have shown such immense potentials as youngsters, are properly nurtured, trained and developed to represent the nation at higher levels in future international football competitions. Similarly, Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, while congratulating the team said the victory was a reflection of the resilience in the Nigerian spirit.
‘Despite our challenges, diversity and divisions, the Golden Eaglets have shown that we are a united people and that our greatness will become manifest as we join hands in spite of all odds to build a great Nation”, he said.
Also, the governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, in his reaction, said the victory was a moral booster and a further confirmation of the ‘can do spirit’ of an average Nigerian. The governor described the victory as a deliberate demonstration of the supremacy of the Nigerian side over their rivals. Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda, said the Eaglets, were “wonderfully professionals who have brought joy to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnoreligious differences.”
Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, in his congratulatory message said the Eaglets had made Nigeria proud by winning the title and becoming the first team to do so four times.
“The victory is even sweeter when considered against the backdrop that the boys are certified to be truly under-17 and can conveniently graduate into the senior teams in the years ahead. Now, we are serious about rejuvenating our age grade football,” he said.
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