Golden Eaglets Receive Heroic Welcome As They Arrive Nigeria
World U-17 Champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday and received a heroic welcome from soccer fans, who came from far and near to receive them.
Emmanuel Amuneke’s team were crowned as world champions following a 2-0 victory over Mali in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile on Sunday.
Their triumph means Nigeria has won the cadet tournament five times, which includes China ’85, Japan ’93, Korea 2007, UAE 2013 and Chile 2015.
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It is the first time they won the tournament outside Asia.
Meanwhile, the triumphant Golden Eaglets were treated to a standing ovation aboard Emirates Airlines on their return trip to Nigeria.
Speaking at the reception, Funsho Bamgboye who scored the Eaglets second goal in the 2-0 victory over Mali in the final said: “It is a great feeling to be world champions.
“I’m happy that I have represented my country, state and family well and we can see that this has made a lot of people happy too.”
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Thereafter, players and officials were driven round some areas of the Federal Capital Territory in a motorcade as Captain Kelechi Nwakali held the glittering trophy aloft all the way.
The new Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong, later had dinner with the players at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
