Olopade Charges Golden Eaglets to Fly at WAFU U-17 Championship, End World Cup Qualification Drought
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Bukola Olopade, has charged Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, to fly high at the WAFU B U-17 Championship to qualify for the U-17 AFCON and ultimately, the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
He gave the charge during a morale-boosting visit to the team’s training camp at the FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja on Monday, ahead of their departure on today for the WAFU B U-17 Tournament in Burkina Faso.
The DG urged the players to embrace the responsibility of representing Nigeria and begin their journey to reaching the FIFA U-17 World Cup by winning the WAFU B tournament.
He reminded the players that Nigeria has not featured at the FIFA U-17 World Cup for years, urging them to write a new chapter in the history of one of the country’s most successful national teams.
“We have not qualified for the World Cup for a long time now, and the country is looking up to you to end that drought. You are Nigerians, and Nigerians are fighters. We no dey carry last. Go to Burkina Faso, win the WAFU B tournament, qualify for the AFCON and then secure our place at the World Cup.”
“We are dreaming of winning the World Cup, and that dream starts with you. You have the talent, you have the opportunity and you have the support of the entire country. Nigeria is a grateful and generous nation, and when you achieve this, we will show you just how much your country appreciates you.”
Hon. Olopade encouraged the players to remain disciplined, focused and united throughout the tournament, stressing that their performance would carry the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerians.
Nigeria’s rich history at the U-17 level provides a powerful legacy for the current generation of Golden Eaglets.
The country is the record five-time winner of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, having lifted the trophy in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.
Nigeria also won back-to-back world titles in 2013 and 2015, becoming the first nation to reach five championships at the tournament.
The Golden Eaglets’ historic record has also produced some of Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers, including Nwankwo Kanu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, amongst a long list of other stars, who all emerged from the country’s U-17 ranks and went on to make significant marks on the international stage.
