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 Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject: Nigerians Celebrate 3rd Under-17 World Cup Win |
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As Locals Celebrate 3rd Under-17 World Cup Win - Victory Strenghtens Me, Says Yar'Adua
Daily Trust
Ismaila Umaru Lere
& Elkanah Chawai
10 September 2007
Nigeria Golden Eaglets celebrate after winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Seoul, Korea, yesterday. The Eaglets defeated Spain 3-0 in penalty shootout.
President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua yesterday saluted the Golden Eaglets for winning the U-17 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, saying their victory will strengthen his conviction to succeed in administering the country.
Nigeria's cadet team won the Under-17 World Cup for a third time, beating Spain 3-0 on penalties in yesterday's final after a goalless 120 minutes. The Eaglets were the only team that did not lose any match in the tournament.
The victory gave Nigeria their third under-17 world title, having won the tournament in 1985 in China and 1993 in Japan.
In a letter to the Eaglets, President Yar'Adua said: "Your success strengthens me in my conviction that if, as a people, we work hard and truly dedicate ourselves to achieving national greatness, there are no limits to the heights we can attain in the comity of nations."
"I convey the immense gratitude of all Nigerians for the great honour you have brought to our dear nation by winning the FIFA under-17 world soccer championship once again.
"The entire nation has followed your progress in the competition in faraway South Korea with keen interest, and your unstoppable run, from the victories against France, Japan and Haiti in the first round matches, to the conquest of Colombia, Argentina, Germany brought much joy to us all.
"We all applaud the skills, soccer artistry and determination to excel which brought you ultimate victory over hard-fighting Spain in the finals," he said.
It was only the fourth time in 12 Under-17 World Cup tournaments that the title was decided on penalty kicks.
The Eaglets scored three goals in the penalty shoot-out phase through Matthew Edile, Daniel Joshua and Ganiyu Oseni. Goalkeeper Oladele Ajiboye kept the Spaniards at bay with two daring saves.The Spaniad's first penalty kick went a little wide.
Macauley Chrisantus of Nigeria won the Golden Shoe as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals.
The Eaglets began to catch the nation's attention when they trudged some big names like France and Japan in the opening rounds. Expectations heightened when they hauled out Columbia and then had a sweet revenge in a grudge match against Argentina to reach the semi-final.
By the time the Eaglets humbled the highly rated German team, the nation's appetite had been wetted and Nigerian's expected nothing less than the ultimate prize. And so they remained glued to their television sets . At the blast of the final the spontaneous reaction from across the country was electrifying. Nigerians in their thousands poured onto the streets in wild jubilation
Some state governors and other leaders were quick to send congratulatory messages to the team and also the president.
Copyright © 2007 Daily Trust
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm |
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