Buhari reminds Golden Eaglets of winning U-17 World Cup like 1985

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Saturday reminded the defending champions of FIFA Under 17 world cup about the  first time Nigeria won the cup when he was then nation's head of state. 

NUJ Europe gathered that Mr President spoke to the team of Nigeria's Golden Eaglets for almost half-an hour and interacted with the boys who are playing Mali in the final of FIFA U-17 World Cup tomorrow in Chile. During a visual-mobile phone platform  conversation with the footballers President  Buhari urged the defending champion to do the nation proud again.

 President tweeted shortly after the conversation thus : "The Golden Eaglets first won the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in China in 1985, when President @MBuhari was military head of state."

Nigeria first won the same tournament in China in 1985, when President Buhari was military head of state, and he urged the team to repeat the same feat tomorrow against Mali, to make it the fifth time Nigeria will win the trophy.

Starting with the head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, President Buhari congratulated him for leading the team to the final, and then said:”Your victory tomorrow will remind Nigerians of what happened in China 30 years ago, and it will raise the morale of Nigerians, especially the youths. We’re praying for you. We are anxiously waiting to receive the cup. Please put us on the world map of soccer again.”
Speaking to Udoh Akpan, the goalkeeper, President Buhari said he was a very strategic member of the team, noting:”If you don’t let in the goals, then none will be scored against us. We look forward to lifting the cup.”
To John Lazarus, a defender, the President said, “don’t allow anybody to penetrate the defense,” while charging Tobechukwu Ibe, another defender to “rest well today, because a lot of Nigerians will be depending on you tomorrow.”
To top striker, Victor Osimhen, who has scored 9 goals so far, President Buhari said:”Strike like thunder tomorrow. I believe you will bring us victory.”
The captain of the team, Kelechi Nwakali, was charged to maintain his winning leadership , while Joel Osikel, a midfielder, was told by the President that he was “the jewel of the team,” and challenged to contribute his quota towards victory.
Apart from the 21 players and head coach, President Buhari also had encouraging words for other members of the technical team, the team doctor, physiotherapist, media officer, and other officials.Nigeria first won the same tournament in China in 1985, when President Buhari was military head of state, and he urged the team to repeat the same feat tomorrow against Mali, to make it the fifth time Nigeria will win the trophy.
Starting with the head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, President Buhari congratulated him for leading the team to the final, and then said:”Your victory tomorrow will remind Nigerians of what happened in China 30 years ago, and it will raise the morale of Nigerians, especially the youths. We’re praying for you. We are anxiously waiting to receive the cup. Please put us on the world map of soccer again.”
Speaking to Udoh Akpan, the goalkeeper, President Buhari said he was a very strategic member of the team, noting:”If you don’t let in the goals, then none will be scored against us. We look forward to lifting the cup.”
To John Lazarus, a defender, the President said, “don’t allow anybody to penetrate the defense,” while charging Tobechukwu Ibe, another defender to “rest well today, because a lot of Nigerians will be depending on you tomorrow.”
To top striker, Victor Osimhen, who has scored 9 goals so far, President Buhari said:”Strike like thunder tomorrow. I believe you will bring us victory.”
The captain of the team, Kelechi Nwakali, was charged to maintain his winning leadership , while Joel Osikel, a midfielder, was told by the President that he was “the jewel of the team,” and challenged to contribute his quota towards victory.
Apart from the 21 players and head coach, President Buhari also had encouraging words for other members of the technical team, the team doctor, physiotherapist, media officer, and other officials.

The coach, Emmanuel Amunike expressed appreciation to all Nigerians for supporting the boys and promised that Nigerians would be happy to see the footballers win the cup for the 5th time by tomorrow.

 Nigeria thrashed Mexico 4 goals to 2 in the early hours of Friday in the Semi finals of Chile 2015 Under 17 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria is playing against Mali in the final match on Sunday, (8th November, 2015) by 23:00 hrs Nigeria local time.

By Lashley Oladigbolu, London

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