The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Golden Eaglets

  • Pinnick tips Eaglets to retain World Cup

    Pinnick tips Eaglets to retain World Cup

    The Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, has backed the Golden Eaglets to successfully defend the FIFA U-17 World Cup against African champions Mali on Sunday.

    Pinnick was in the stands as the Eaglets defeated hard–fighting Mexico 4-2 in Concepcion to reach the final of the tournament in Chile, africanFootball.com reports.

    Pinnick barely had time to catch his breath from a long trip that took him from London to Buenos Aires and Santiago before arriving in Concepcion.

    But he was in time to meet the players at the Diego de Almagro Hotels before they set out to the Estadio Municipal Ester Roa.

    “These boys have done Nigeria proud. They will go up against Mali on Sunday with great confidence and discipline, and emerge victorious,” he stated.

    “I’m very excited, not only with the result, but the way the boys came fighting back after that early goal by Mexico. I keep saying that we have the potential to be world champions in several areas of endeavour.”

     

  • Bosso tips Eaglets for U-17 World Cup final

    Bosso tips Eaglets for U-17 World Cup final

    Ex-Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso, has tipped the Golden Eaglets to defeat Mexico and secure a place in the final of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

    Eaglets defeated three-time champions Brazil 3-0 to reach this stage, while El Tri beat Ecuador 2-0 in Coquimbo, Goal reports.

    Bosso said the players were splendid in their two games and are hot favorites to book a final ticket.

    However, he warned the boys to maintain tactical discipline for the remaining part of the competition if they hope to defend the title.

    “I want to assure you that the Eaglets will beat Mexico and also win the U-17 World Cup again. The boys have played with so much enthusiasm and discipline and if they maintain same till the end of the competition, it will be hard for any of the remaining teams to beat them,” Bosso told Goal.

    “I also want to hail the impact of the highest scorer, Victor Osimhen. He has been remarkable in Chile and I tip him to lead Nigeria to the title.”

     

  • Victory over Brazil boosted our cup hopes – Amuneke

    Victory over Brazil boosted our cup hopes – Amuneke

    Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has described Sunday’s 3-0 win over Brazil in the quarterfinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile as massive boost to the team title aspirations.

    Amuneke said the team played well and deserve to beat favourites Brazil.

    “Is not like we scored three goals and that was it. Before that, our side had 15 very good minutes, when the boys moved the ball around as we knew they could,”africanFootball.com quoted the former Barcelona star as saying after the match.

    “You have to give credit to my kids, who were tranquil and kept their cool to deal with the Brazil pressure and then scored at the right time.

    “For the players, beating Brazil is a big confidence boost. We still have a long way to the title, though.”

    Brazil coach, Carlos Amadeu, on the other hand, said his team lost to Nigeria because his players failed to put away their chances.

    He said the Nigerians utilised their chances and that was the difference.

    “We knew it was important for us to make the most of our opportunities, especially if we dominated the game at some point, but we didn’t,” he lamented.

  • U-17 World Cup: Nigeria can’t underrate Brazil – Nwakali

    U-17 World Cup: Nigeria can’t underrate Brazil – Nwakali

    Golden Eaglets captain, Kelechi Nwakali, has warned his team cannot afford to underrate Brazil in Sunday’s FIFA U-17 World Cup quarter final clash although the team defeated the South American champions recently.

    Nigeria pipped mighty Brazil 2-1 at the Suwon International tournament in South Korea prior to the World Cup in Chile and while the Eaglets had cruised through to the last-eight of the World Cup, three-time champions Brazil labored to reach the stage, africanFootball.com reports.

    But skipper Nwakali said what will matter most on Sunday night will be what both teams do on the pitch.

    “It was just a friendly (Eaglets 2-1 win over Brazil in Korea), and this game will be totally different. It doesn’t matter what others say because we’ll never underestimate anyone, least of all Brazil,” africanFootball.com quoted Nwakali as saying in an interview with FIFA.com

    “It’s a mistake to say that simply because we beat Australia 6-0 and the Brazilians beat New Zealand 1-0. It doesn’t matter how they won. They won because they were better and that’s all we should be worried about.”

    Nigeria has won the U-17 World Cup a record four times – 1985, 1993, 2007 and 2013 – and the captain declared the team wants to make it a fifth time in Chile.

  • Eaglets lost to better team – Amuneke

    Eaglets lost to better team – Amuneke

    Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has said his players were not at their best in Friday’s  FIFA U-17 World Cup game against Croatia.

    But despite the loss, Nigeria finished top of the group with six points from three matches, while Croatia came second with five points, africanFootball.com reports.

    Amuneke said his boys have to play more as a team going forward.

    “My players wanted to win, but we were not the best tonight. The Croatians gave us many problems. They prevented us from playing our game and deserved to win,” he said.

    “My players are very talented, but still have room for improvement collectively.”

  • Eaglets seek revenge against Croatia

    Eaglets seek revenge against Croatia

    Golden Eaglets duo of John Lazarus and David Enogela are eyeing their pound of flesh against Croatia U-17 team when both sides meet at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile Friday night.

    The Eaglets lost 2-3 to Croatia at the 2015 Suwon International Youth championship staged in South Korea despite leading with few minutes to the end of the game.

    Both teams meet again in the final Group A game of the U-17 World Cup at the Estadio Francisco Sanchez in Coquimbo, and the duo have vowed not to repeat same mistakes against the Europeans on Friday.

    “We were unlucky against the Croatians in Suwon because we were leading them 2-1 until few minutes to the end of the match,” Goal quoted Lazarus as saying on the NFF website.

    “The Croatians got a penalty to equalize and scored the winning goal later and that stopped us from winning the tournament.

    “We won’t allow that to happen against us on Friday and we will work harder to win.”

    Enogela on his own part said: “We saw in Suwon how physical the Croatians can play and I agree with Lazarus that they were lucky to beat us the last time.”

     

     

     

  • Nwankwo Kanu congratulates Golden Eaglets

    Nwankwo Kanu congratulates Golden Eaglets

    Retired Nigeria international Nwankwo Kanu has congratulated the Golden Eaglets for qualifying for the knockout stages of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup, but has urged the defending champions not to take their feet off the pedal in subsequent games.

    The Emmanuel Amuneke – led team continued with their attacking brand of football on Wednesday morning, making light work of Chile to advance to the last 16 with a game to spare.

    “Congratulations to our dear Eaglets,  we are proud of you all. Congrats Amunike and your coaching crew, keep flying and remain focused to the end, ” Nwankwo Kanu said on Twitter.

    The former Arsenal, Inter Milan and Ajax Amsterdam striker starred for the Golden Eaglets at the 1993 edition of the FIFA U-17s.

    During the tournament held in Japan, Kanu bagged a hat – trick against Canada before netting a goal each in the Group B fixtures against Argentina and Australia.

     

  • U-17 World Cup: Chile’s clash will be tough – Amuneke

    U-17 World Cup: Chile’s clash will be tough – Amuneke

    Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has warned his wards to expect a dogfight against hosts Chile in Tuesday’s FIFA U-17 World Cup match at the Sausalito Stadium in Vina del Mar.

    The defending champions trained on Monday morning at the Enap Oil Company Training Centre in Con-Con district of the city, africanFootball.com reports.

    “Tuesday’s match against Chile is a crucial game and you must expect a dog fight. But we must approach the match with discipline and responsibility. We must be ready to fight for 90 minutes,” africanFootball.com quoted Amuneke as saying to the players.

     

     

  • Chile 2015: Saraki urges Golden Eaglets to conquer the world

    Chile 2015: Saraki urges Golden Eaglets to conquer the world

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday urged the Golden Eaglets to re-enact their winning streak at this year’s under-17 FIFA World Cup tournament in Chile.

    In a statement by his media office, Saraki said the Eaglets can make Nigeria proud again by demonstrating their world acclaimed superiority in the field of play.

    He urged them to approach their opening encounters against the United States of America (USA), Chile and Croatia with all sense of purpose and dedication so as to qualify for the next stage of the championship.

    He said: “This is another chance for our dear Golden Eaglets to conquer the world. You have done it before and I believe you can do it again. Nigerians and indeed the Senate are solidly behind you.

    “I know that with patriotism, focus, resilience and indomitable spirit, you can again prove to the world that you can still shine like a million stars,” he stated.

    He urged the team to imbibe discipline to achieve the desired objective of lifting the FIFA World for the fifth time.

    He also called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the team’s coach and technical crew to ensure that no effort is spared in giving the players all they require to succeed.

    He said: “Change has berthed in our country. Therefore, our football cannot be an exception. We all have a role to play to support our players to win this tournament once again.

    “On behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I urge you to go for goals and for the ultimate golden trophy.

    “With the superlative form you have displayed so far, we are confident that Nigeria can go all the way to win this under-17 FIFA World Cup,” he stated.

    He added that the Senate would continue to ensure that sports is accorded priority in terms of relevant legislations and budgetary provisions to make Nigeria emerge victorious at all international competitions.

     

     

  • U-17 World Cup: Eaglets target victory over U.S

    U-17 World Cup: Eaglets target victory over U.S

    The reigning FIFA U-17 World champions, Nigeria, will go for outright victory in Saturday night’s opening match against the United States in Santiago, Chile.

    The captain of the team,  Kelechi Nwakali, said the players will strive for win against the US, hosts Chile and Croatia.

    “We have set a target to win our first three matches and then take it from there,” the highly rated midfielder told africanFootball.com.

    “We have worked hard and we believe God will crown our efforts.”

    The U.S will likely feature Nigerian-born defender Matthew Olosunde, who faces a herculean task shutting out Eaglets’ attack led by the lethal Victor Osimhen.

    The Nigeria lads, who finished fourth at the African Junior Championship in Niger, featured in an invitational tournament in South Korea that involved Brazil, Croatia and the host country.

    The youngsters also trained for 10 days in next-door Argentina, where they won their warm-up matches against Argentina U-17 and Racing Club.