Onazi, a member of the silver winning team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria in 2009, believes the idea was aimed at encouraging the players to further aspire for more glory
Browsing: FIFA U-17 World Cup
A statement by the team’s Media Officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, in Abuja on Sunday, said that the retreat was to forestall “any untoward incident in their immediate and future careers”
While the players were each given a cash reward of N2 million, the Head Coach, Manu Garba, got N3 million
The Taye Academy of Warri, Delta State youngster, who lashed home the second goal against Mexico in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, said: “I feel good, I feel good, I feel good!
In a message of felicitation to President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians, released by his media office in Abuja on Saturday, Abubakar said: “Mr. President, I and my family heartily congratulate you and our compatriots on the great victory our Golden Eaglets achieved at the Under-17 World Youth Championship
The Golden Eaglets won the inaugural edition of the competition in 1985 and have never looked back ever since, winning more cadet titles to the admiration of Blatter and his executive
The Eaglets defeated their Mexican counterparts to emerge fourth time winner of FIFA U-17 World Cup
The Eaglets won the Fair Play Award for collecting less cautions in the competition while Nigeria’s outstanding No 10, Kelechi Iheanacho, won the tournament’s best player and the second top-scorer, having scored six goals and setting up a further seven en route to a fourth title for the West Africans
The Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made this possible as he augmented the bonus from the quarter-final stage to the final of the competition, when he agreed to double the amount paid by the cash-strapped Nigeria Football Federation, which has said it loud and clear that it is financially handicapped
Others who sent out early congratulatory messages to the Golden Eaglets included the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; and a former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu
The first goal in the final match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates was an own goal scored by Aguerri
Muhammed has been an inspired choice by Coach Manu Garba “because he combines the names of two prophets” and Awoniyi said there couldn’t have been a better captain than the Kano State-born defender
Thomson has been a match official since 1988 and has officiated in the Scottish Premier League since 2002
There is an extra motivation for me to win this trophy and it would be my greatest honour yet because in 2007 I was an assistant when Nigeria won this trophy,” Manu said at the lobby of Abu Dhabi Hotel before heading for his last pre-match press conference at this 2013 UAE U-17 World Cup
Other members of the delegation, whom President Jonathan has charged to ensure that the Golden Eaglets receive all necessary support and motivation for victory
The Taye Academy youngster believes the tie against the South Americans would be a different game from the group opener when the Eaglets spanked Mexico 6-1
Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Yahaya spearhead a side that is constantly on the move and harasses the opposition, with or without the ball, posing a serious challenge for any defence
“We saw them play before our semi-final, and they looked strong against Argentina,” said the midfielder. “We’re hoping for a repeat performance [of the group match]. In football it’s difficult to make predictions but, God willing, we’ll beat them again. Mexico can make all the changes they want, but it will be the same team we faced in the group stage
Elegbeleye said the brilliant display of the youngsters has taken Nigeria to another level in world soccer
Attacking midfielder, Kelechi Iheanacho, is being watched by Arsenal at this month’s U-17 World Cup while Muhammed is also being scouted by Chelsea and Liverpool