Lessons To be Derived From The Golden Eaglet's Victory

Once again,I'm grateful to God Almighty for making the Golden Eaglets come out victorious during the Chile U-17 World Cup.They have successfully defended their crown thereby becoming the second to have done that after Brazil.Though it's our fifth success at the Championship,it's my prayer that we are able to defend the title for the third consecutive time during the next edition.If it happens that way,it would be the first time it would have been done.That would be a record to beat for a long time to come.
Having said that,I think this victory has a couple lessons for all and sundry.The very first is ...

Patriotism
There's nothing like being patriotic and passionate about one's country.If you ain't passionate about your country,NOTHING would seem right about ANYTHING.
Guys! If those boys were not passionate about Nigeria,they would be like the Super Eagles who are stock to twenty - something or there about in FIFA ranking.You see,let me explain.
Those boys are young,obedient and disciplined.They listened to instructions and play according to the directives given by their coach.This is only possible if the boys were selected based on merits and not by tribal and religious sentiments.
It's true,however,that the current crop of players were selected only from the Southern part of the country.But,the fact still remains that should it be that those boys were not patriotic and passionate about the Nigerian cause,they wouldn't make the National team. They had to play top quality football to make the team. Just as Amunike had declared, that their victory was a reward by God for their hardwork ALL IN THE NAME OF NIGERIA!
This goes to tell all those clamouring for Biafra that the hardworking and ambitious Igbos that are scattered all over Nigeria does NOT feel the alleged marginalization and anihilation they claim is meted on Igbos.They believe in hardwork and dilgence at work,hence,they have won several luarels for the country and have occupied their rigtful positions in nation building.

Pride and Confidence
Gaskia!Considering the oppositions the Eaglets faced during the tournament,one would tend to believe that the boys would not go far in the tournament.But,lo and behold! The boys,stood their ground against great footballing countries such as Brazil,Mexico and the USA and whooped their asses BIGGERLY!
If you ask me,that's a result of the combo of Confidence and Pride in one's ability.This is what is lacking in the greater number of our teeming youths - Confidence and Pride.
I have encountered a couple of artisans who fabricate quality products that stands the test of time...in fact,they tend to exceed the international standard.But, ask them, why they aren't producing for sale,they'll respond by asking you that who would buy?
I met one today and asked the same question.He made a little analysis that suggested that the cost of producing something worthwhile is high and that the existence of cheaper alternatives (from China,USA etc) discourages customers from buying such locally made product.He believes that the solution lies in the Government's encouragement through local product friendly policies.
Though to a high extent,I do understand and agree with him,I still think there's still room for improvement which can only be seen by whomever is confident and proud of his/her ability. I mean come to think of it.If it takes N2500 to fabricate an electric cooker and an imported one costs just N1500,if the local manufacturer of the local cooker is full of confidence and pride of his work,he would proudly challenge the durability of the imported product thereby winning the market for himself and his product in the end.
If the Eaglets had considered the better welfare packages of their opponents,they would have played half-heartedly and would have lost woefully as a result.But,due to their confidence and pride in the Nation,they played out their hearts and won the tournament ahead of better equipped and well cared for players from other countries!
Ignore the problems and challenges,focus on the prize and you shall always succeed.Like I said earlier,there are a couple of lessons to be derived from the Golden boys' victory,there's however, a limited time to discuss just a few of them.The last that I'll love to discuss is....

The Nigerian Dream
We have heard,one time or the other,the mention of the Ameican Dream.Now I ask you, what is the Nigerian Dream?!
If you ask me,The United State of America is what it is today because,her citizens dared to dream and in their dream,there's NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER! No country is expected to supercede America.The whole world must bow and worship them.Patriotism is key to their freedom which is the CORE of the American values.American citizens,be you black or white,be you rich or poor,you must put country first before personal interests.
Now,that's the American dream,What is the Nigerian dream?Our lack of patriotism,love and passion for the Nigerian project is the reason we have been stuck in under-development for so long.We don't see ourselves as one,that's why the FEDERAL CHARACTER was created,we see ourselves in tribal colours that's why a Yoruba man can never imagine in his wildest dreams to be a Local Government Chairman in the East,we see ourselves as Hausas,Yorubas and Igbos,that's the reason we need CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES and SHARING FORMULA politically and economically.This wasn't a criteria in the selection of the boys (The Eaglets),selection was based on merits and National interest.
Yes! There were no Northerner in the team but the bottomline is that,it was Nigeria's U-17 National team that won the tournament not the Old Eastern Region team!Now,that's the spirit IRRESPECTIVE OF WHERE YOU COME FROM,WHAT MATTERS IS NIGERIA!
We must sit down to fashion out a Nigerian Dream which would be our watch word when it comes to performance in any facet of life.Unless we dream,we would continue to wander around without Aims and Objectives!
Insha Allah,we would look more into the Nigerian Dream later,for now,I think we have done well and can as well call it a day! Congratulations once more on the victory of the Golden Eaglets!
Naija for life!
Long live Naija!!! 

Stand Up For The Champions!

Ooooh Yes!
We did it!For the second consecutive time,Nigeria's crowned Kings of Football in the U-17 category.Though,I didn't watch the match (PHCN no gree),I had the privileged to see the highlights of the game and I can tell you,it met up with the expectation of a worthwhile final match of a tournament like the world cup.
The Malians were reported to have been very fast,but,gratefully, not too fast for the Golden Eaglets who did not only secure a penalty kick in the first half but also recorded a couple of spectacular goal attempts.Due to their fast pace,the Malians gave the Nigerians side a lot of trouble,but,happily,it didn't result in any goal.
I woke this morning to checkout the results on the net and was more than glad to see that Nigeria won the game.From the highlights that I saw,I can see the fact that the boys didn't loose confidence which,in my opinion was further boosted by the return of Bamgboye,the guy wearing the no.7 Jersey for Nigeria.
That guy is very important to the team.He helps balance the game for the Nigerian side.He attracts a lot of attention to himself thereby giving Osimhen a lot of room to operate and wreck maximum damage to the opponents' defense.With those two in the game,The opponents' defense are left confused as to who to hold on to.This is because either boys could hold and score the ball when given the slightest of chances.That's not to look down on any player in that team...people like Nwakali, Ebere and Lazarus were terrorists to the opponents we had in the Tournament.
I no go lie you,none of those boys was defective in anyway.They played a great team game which had led to the elevation of some the team mates and their collective success!This reflected in the awards tat were given after the match.
Adidas Golden Ball: Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria)
The captain of the Golden Eaglets was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad ahead of the 2013 edition, but was not named in the final party that went on to win the title. Here, however, the playmaker was the first to lift the trophy aloft. Coach Emmanuel Amuneke's right-hand man out on the pitch, he shouldered responsibility and kept a cool head in difficult moments. He scored three goals, including two penalties, and provided a further three assists, a haul that also brought him the adidas Bronze Boot.
Adidas Silver Ball: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Even before the tournament kicked off in Chile Osimhen was touted as a favourite to win the adidas Golden Ball, having scored 39 goals in 71 outings for his country at that point, and finished as top scorer at the U-17 African Championship in March. The striker, who names Côte d’Ivoire forward Didier Drogba as his role model, more than lived up to expectations in Chile after finding the net in all seven games at the competition. Osimhen put his side 1-0 up on four occasions and his effort in the final – his tenth goal overall – set a new tournament record, beating the previous best-mark set by Côte d’Ivoire’s Souleymane Coulibaly in 2011 and France’s Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001. Osimhen duly finished as top scorer in South America, and would doubtless not begrudge his team captain, of all players, pipping him to what would have been a second golden award.
Adidas Bronze Ball: Aly Malle (Mali)
Alongside Boubacar Traore, Sekou Koita and Sidiki Maiga, Malle formed part of an impressive attacking line-up that put opponents under pressure right from the off. Operating as a nominal striker, the No9 often dropped deep to pick up the ball and brought his team-mates into the game on countless occasions. Adidas Golden Boot: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/10 goals, 2 assists)

Adidas Silver Boot: Johannes Eggestein (Germany/4 goals, 0 assists)
Eggestein’s best performances for Germany came in the group stage, where he found the target four times in three matches to go joint-top of the scorers’ chart alongside Osimhen after the first phase of the tournament. Although the striker, who plays for Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, was unable to add to his tally after Germany were eliminated by Croatia in the Round of 16, he still did enough to win the adidas Silver Boot. “My strengths are my ability to anticipate a pass and my versatility,” Eggestein said in an interview with FIFA.com. His self-analysis is backed up by the statistics: he scored twice with his left foot, once with his right and once with his head.
Adidas Bronze Boot: Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria/3 goals, 3 assists)

Adidas Golden Glove: Samuel Diarra (Mali)
For the fourth time in tournament history, the best goalkeeper of the finals was presented with an award. Following Benjamin Siegrist (Switzerland, 2009), Jonathan Cubero (Uruguay, 2011) and Dele Alampasu (Nigeria, 2013), this time the winner was Samuel Diarra, who reached the final with African champions Mali and routinely frustrated opposition strikers with some spectacular saves. The custodian dazzled in South America with his incredible reflexes and command of his penalty area, while he conceded fewer goals than any other goalkeeper at these finals, letting in just four in seven games.
FIFA Fair Play Award: Ecuador
In 1995 Ecuador posted their best achievement at an U-17 World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals on home soil. Now, 20 years on, the latest crop of players equalled that feat in Chile, and did so while winning over the hearts of the fans. In their five games at the tournament, the South Americans only committed 69 fouls, collected just four yellow cards and had one sending off for a second bookable offence, making coach Jose Rodriguez’s charges worthy winners of the FIFA Fair Play Award. Alongside a trophy, medals and a certificate, the Ecuadorian FA will also receive prize money of $10,000 USD, which can only used for football equipment for youth teams.

“We have worked very hard for this success and we hope to continue. The players will go home now but their journey is not over yet. I have football in my blood, as a player and as a coach. This is what I want to pass to my players.”
Emmanuel Amuneke, Nigeria coach

The Golden Eaglets Are Through To The Final!

First of all,I'll like to thank God Almighty for answering my prayers this far over the Eaglets.I would however ask for more by praying we win the Finals that's slated for Sunday by 11 p.m.

I told you guys that the El Tri of Mexico are no under dogs.See how they gave the Eaglets a very good run for their money!

I mean,checkout their two goals of the match...they were goals of class...especially the second goal which left me wondering if it was a dream or not.I mean that Mexican just ran down everyone right from outside the eighteen yard box straight into the six yard box before putting away the goal. It was such a comical feat!

But,we thank God for His infinite Mercies that saw the Eaglets through...it wasn't an easy task fof the boys.They obviously didn't find it funny at all!

Now,let's talk a little on the finals. Its an all African finals...Mali vs Nigeria...in fact, more like a West African finals...lolz

.

Anyway,that's not the most important,but,I can't help but appreciate the fact that finally,people would start to see us differently.They would start to respect us as a continent to reckon with when it comes to the beautiful game of football! Yes,we are in the finals of the U-17 FIFA World Cup,the question is,how do we win the trophy for the fifth time and make history???

The Malians are the current African Champions and if I'm not mistaking,they are the ones that beat us out of the African tournament before going ahead to be crowned African

Champions. Now,here they are again,standing between us and the World Cup! How do we ensure,we win the match and lift the World Cup as we so desire???

The fact that they too have reached the final is an obvious sign that they are not here to fool around,they are here for business...serious business!!! The Eaglets must,therefore,be very careful in conceeding a goal as they did against the Mexicans.

It is a very strong opinion of mine that they (the Eaglets) should ensure that the Malians are not given room to move around freely within our territory...our half of the Pitch. If this is done as part of the Coache's plan,I'm sure,it would go a long way to keep the Malians at bay and ensure Nigerian's victory!

The Malians are good,no doubting,but the koko be say that the Golden Eaglets should do whatever it takes to retain the title!

I rest my case for now...the game is on Sunday by 11 p.m. Don't miss it!

The Clash of The Titans Tonight!

Tor!
It is going to happen tonight.I woke up today by 5 a.m. thinking that I have missed the match.Perhaps due to anxiety,or should I say,a little hitch in my schedule.Well,that's not important,what's important is that the match is coming up tonight and we can't afford to miss it.
The El Tri of Mexico have been reported to be a very strong team.In fact,they too, have been Champions twice too.Even in this tournament,they have been showcasing their talent very impressively.They have beaten big teams like Argentina,Germany and even host country Chile in this tournament. Now,that's my concern.
I know the performance of the Eaglets too,have been very impressive and they are not scared of any team,but the fact that the Mexicans have been smokey too gives me a reason to be concerned.
I'm not that bothered,but,when you are to meet a good team like those from the South American continent,it won't be wrong to be a little bit anxious. I was against the Brazilians even after the 3 goals we had scored,I was still sitting by the edge of my seat till the last minute.South Americans are die hards!
But,considering the impressive performance of our boys coupled with their highly skillful,disciplined and confident dispositions they have expressed so far,I got nothing to worry about!
Guys,the game is slated for 12 a.m. tonight,don't miss am.If una no get light,abeg go buy fuel for gen...3 litres is okay.It's the Semis you can't afford to miss the remaining two matches.
Abeg,pray for the Eaglets o!

Za Eaglets Are Smokey Wallahi-tallahi!

Alhamdulillah!

The boys have done it again! Congratulations Naija! We are moving to the Semis on Thursday. If you watched this cracker of a match,you'll agree with me that those boyd are smokey, really...checkout Osimhen!

That boy is the leading goal scorerer of the tournament. His goal tonight made it 8 goals to his name.

My prayers for the boys is coming to pass,I thank God. Now,they shall be preparing for the semis where they shall be facing either Equador or Mexico...both South Americans.This means that the South Americans are having a very good tournament. However I feel a little concerned about the number of yellow cards we have recorded so far...that of Bamgboye is particularly painful...if what the Commentator is anything to go by,Bamgboye would be missing the semis

I really do hope the coach,Emmanuel Amunike would be able to manage without the boy. The incident brought to mind,the second round match between Nigeria and France in the last World Cup edition where France won the game after Pogba got rid of Onazi upon whom the Nigerian mid field depended heavily.

After his inevitable exit from the game,our mid field crumbled due to the wrong substitution made by the coach,Keshi. He substituted the injured Onazi for a lanky slow guy with dread locks as against the expected substitute choice of Azeez.Anyway,that's not the point.

The point is that I sincerely hope that Amunike has a worthy substitute that would man Bamgboye's position such that we won't feel his absence.

I want to congratulate every Nigerian patriots out there on the Eaglets' victory. Thanks for your support for the boys.May God Almighty continue to back our boys and make them the Champions again.Ameen.

So,why don't you keep it a date with us on Thursday when the boys shall be facing yet another South American country.

Later!

Brazil U17 vs The Golden Eaglets Quarter Final

Tor! Today is yet another match day for our strong and confident Golden Eaglets who have soaring pretty high in Chile. As they roll out tonight by 8 pm against the Brazilians,we need to stay up,give them all our support and prayers. Since our supporters club missed Chile, the booing of our gallant boys is a heart breaker for me,this is why I'm calling upon you guys to sit by your T.V. to cheer our boys to victory.

The boys have done extremely well so far.According to reports,the Eaglets are the World's no.1 while the Brazilians are the no.2 of the World. That should tell you something. They are very close in ranking to us.We don't want to fall to number,hence,we need to be on top of our game...this is why I'm soliciting for their support...they need all the encouragement they can get from us. Do you know that they have made history already in this tournament?

The current crop of Eaglets made history when they beat the Australians 6-0 in the second round of the tournament...no country has been able to do that before now! Oh! I wish those boys would be crowned champions by the end of the tournament and Osimhen going home with the golden boot!

I'll stop at this junction and ensure that I don't miss the match,hope you won't too...its 8 o'clock tonight...keep it a date!

Thumb up to the Golden Eaglets!

Guys,
I don't know how well to express my joy.I watched the game from the kick off to the final whistle.The game was nothing but a cracker!I love it and sincerely hope all other games including the finals would be that juicy for the boys. Ameen.
It was a game that started somewhat promising for the Australian boys who had started off with skillful displays with the ball.However,as the game progressed,though,slowly but steadily,the Eaglets began to find their confidence which grew over the first twenty minutes and had led to the first goal that was scored by Osimhen,Nigeria's point man who eventually made a hat-trick in the game.The highly scintillating game ended 6-0 in favor of the Eaglets.I don't know,but,the question came to mind as to what is the problem with our Super Eagles who haven't been in the first best 5 teams in the world?!
The Flying Eaglets currently are the the number 1 in the world! Can you beat that,Nigeria is number ONE in the world?This is why I can't possibly express the Joy I felt when those boys broke the record to beat a team with the highest margin IN THE SECOND ROUND in the tournament's history!
What this means is that even if the Eaglets looses out of the race (GOD FORBID A MILLION TIMES!),the boys have already made history.Now,this keeps me wondering,what is wrong with our Super Eagles,why have they failed to fly high on the World Football scene? Even our female teams,the Falcons and Falconets are doing extremely well on the World's scene.Azeezat of the Falcons had done the country proud by winning the World Best Female Player of the year ahead of the Americans,Europeans and Asians from the U.S.,Germany,Brazil and  China. Why have our Super Eagles not won anything on the world scene,what's going on??? As Olamide would say, 'Story for the gods' and I would say,it's a story for another day!
For now,I think our focus should be on the Eaglets who are currently doing the country proud in Chile.We should pray and support them with all our hearts.Even though,I don't know why our supporters' club were absent that day,the numerous boos of the spectators wasn't strong enough to deter the boys from winning the game in grand style.Kudos to their manager and handler former Nigeria Super Eagles Winger,Emmanuel Amunike.
With Emmanuel handling the Eaglets,Siasia handling the Green Eagles and Sunday Oliseh handling the Super Eagles (All were members of the famous 1994 Super Eagles squad that did us proud by not only winning the African Cup of Nation for that year,but,also went ahead to qualify us FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR THE WORLD CUP),I do hope that it would mean a positive CHANGE in our football fortunes in the country.May we continue to win laurels,year in,year out and may the events continue to grow the spirit of patriotism in us.Ameen.

This is wishing the Eaglets a 100% success in their campaign to defend their title.The next match is on Sunday...perhaps at midnight too...not sure,but keep it a date.It promises to be very interesting as it would be a quarter-final draw between the World's Number One Nigeria and number two Brazil.Don't miss it and don't forget to pray for Eaglets' victory!