The victorious Nigerian U-17 football team deserves all the encomiums they are getting for winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup competition. Their latest triumph; an unprecedented fifth time is a testimony of the potential of the country for greatness, if the resources are well harnessed. The Golden Eaglets have thus brought back the spirit of national pride amongst Nigerians who are always united in sports; and returned smiles to the faces of millions of exasperated citizens yearning for socio-economic succor. This is a time to be proudly identified as a Nigerian in and outside the country. The new dawn exemplified by the Eaglets should not be frittered away. Their talents are invaluable assets that should be nurtured beyond the contemporary systemic rot in football management in the country, and government’s lack of focus. With the present U-17 team, hope beckons of a brighter future for Nigerian football.
Ordinarily, participation at any global sporting event is pride but winning is the ultimate.The soul-lifting performance of the Eaglets was, however, in spite of the pervasive instability in the country’s football management, marked by inept and corrupt leadership. Theirs was a typical example of the tested Nigerian resilience to excel against odds. They also vindicate the fact that a good preparation can always produce a good result. The boys should be closely monitored with a view to preserving them for more glory at the senior levels.
In 1985, Nigeria won the maiden FIFA cadet championship in China when President Muhammadu Buhari was the military Head of State. On return from the tournament, Buhari hosted the victorious players at Dodan Barracks in Lagos, where he tagged the team Golden Eaglets. Thirty years on, the Eaglets have won their fifth title in Chile, beating their fellow African brothers, Mali, in the final. It was the second all-African U-17 finals since Japan ‘93, when the Golden Eaglets beat Ghana 2-1 to win their second title. The Eaglets retained the crown, which Nigeria won two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), becoming only the second team to do so after Brazil in 1999. They will be returning to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Buhari is waiting to receive it.
Before their exploit, the Golden Eaglets had won the title at UAE 2013, Korea 2007 under the tutelage of late Coach, Yemi Tella. This followed their previous successes at Japan 1993 and China 1985. In addition, they finished as runners-up at Canada 1987, Trinidad and Tobago 2001 and Nigeria 2009. The 2015 finals saw Nigeria overcome a spirited Mali side. Two goals in three second-half minutes against the reigning African champions sealed the destination of the trophy. Golden Eaglets star, Victor Osimhen, set the tournament’s goals all-time record, smashing a Chinedu Madueke cross from inside the box for his 10th goal of the tournament, thus surpassing the previous record of nine goals jointly held by Florent Sinama Pongolle of France (2001) and Soulemane Coulibaly of Cote d’Ivoire (2011). Besides Osimhen, Nigeria were also well represented among the individual awards as Eaglets captain, Kelechi Nwakali, picked up the Adidas Golden Ball and the Adidas Bronze Boot, while ace marksman Victor Osimhen pocketed the Adidas Golden Boot and Adidas Silver Ball.
Winning the trophy on five occasions confers on the team the most successful in the U-17 World Cup history – a no mean feat. In essence, the exemplary conduct and commitment, resilience and unity of purpose displayed throughout the period by both the players and officials in the country’s colors have lifted Nigeria’s image again. The lesson is clear: no less is expected of anyone, no matter the status, who is desirous of representing this country. This applies particularly to leadership positions. The Eaglets have shown the way for adults, in the search for the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
Of note-worthy significance is the contribution of soccer academies whose emergence in the past few years helped greatly in shaping the present crop of youthful talents on display. The academies deserve all the encouragement from government and football authorities to help rebuild and refocus football talents aiming for the heights. The government will do well to honor the champions as worthy sports ambassadors of Nigeria and the pride of Africa and the black race. However, this should go beyond monetary rewards which tend to unduly emphasize materialism for the young lads. Scholarships would be more beneficial. If cash must be given, the wiser thing to do will be to keep the money in trust until the boys are mature enough to manage it. Nigeria has had enough perversion of values and corruption of young minds, typified by placing money before values – a misplacement of priorities.
Undoubtedly, the temptation to hit the professional league for the very ambitious among the boys is high. However, they are rather too young to navigate the complexities of professional football and they need close guidance. Money will ultimately be a reward for hard work and performance consistency. Part of the assistance football players require in their career progression is good marketing of skills and exposure to world-class training facilities. The latter has been sorely lacking due to mismanagement by sports managers. The spirit to excel imbued in these young talents is the only contributing factor for success so far. The government can provide an enabling environment and rally the private sector to help in football development and enhance global competition among Nigerian players.
Above all, the Eaglets’ victory has provided the NFF with a great opportunity to cut a new image for itself and give the game of football a new direction to return the country to the pinnacle of soccer on the continent and make it a force to be reckoned with globally. Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has served his country and deserves respect. Reports that the NFF plans to retain Amuneke as the National U-17 team coach for another term are worrisome as this is a departure from the past where U-17 team coaches move with their squad to the national U-20 team.
Amuneke’s relationship with the NFF has not been very smooth, and a critical assessment of the crises and chaos that is Nigeria’s football administration in the past decades makes any optimism about Amuneke untenable, even deceptive. The NFF should set a new tone in employer-employee relationship by allowing Amuneke to progress with the team he has built to ensure continuity. Football means a lot to Nigerians and they are thirsty for more honors as well as the national pride that comes with it. Nigerians and the global football community have had enough of mudslinging in the Glass House.
