For about 25 minutes on Saturday evening, President Muhammadu Buhari spoke with the Golden Eaglets andthe 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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.
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
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