Nigeria has won the FIFA U-17 World Cup a record fourth time, but our last outing in the United Arab Emirates two years ago still evokes wonderful and virgin memorie, even as this new set of starlets head to Chile to defend our title.
The ‘Class of 2013’ guided by Manu Garba played football with an uncommon élan, a drive which made them tournament favorites right from their first match, up till the end. Nigeria was crowned world champions for the fourth time, having won the trophy in 1985, 1993 and 2007.
The enterprising Nigerians who were losing finalists at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in in Morocco early in 2013, left nobody in doubt about their ambition to conquer the world again with a blistering start of their campaign, recording a 6-1 spanking of Mexico, then defending champions, in the Group F opener at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, and went on to win the trophy in style beating the defending champions again in the final.
The ‘Class of 2015’ coached by Emmanuel Amunike have a seemingly difficult task to do, needing to surmount football powerhouses in order to replicate the success of their predecessors at the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place in Chile between October 17 and November 8.
Can the Eaglets fly again? Only time will tell, but going by their preparations and our victorius pedigree I this tournament, one will be quick to say yes.
“I think it would be wrong to compare this team with the last team that won the World Cup in the UAE though I was part of that process. We will do our best in the defence of our title in Chile,” noted Amuneke.
The Golden Eaglets are grouped in Group A with hosts Chile, Croatia and USA.
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