For about 25 minutes on Saturday evening, President Muhammadu Buhari spoke
with the Golden Eaglets and their officials, urging them to strive for
victory tomorrow in the final of the Under-17 FIFA World Cup holding in
Chile.
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.
Both Coach Amuneke and the team captain thanked President Buhari for his
support, and promised not to let him and the country down.