The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria today, returned to the country from Chile amidst fanfare and jubilations from fans and well wishers after clinching the 2015 U-17 World Cup trophy, beating Mali 2-0 in the finals. The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke -led Eaglets aboard Emirates Airline flight EK 785 from Dubai touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The team had stayed the night in Dubai on Tuesday after flying from Santiago the previous day.
On hand to receive the victorious boys and their officials were Director-General, Sports, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mallam Alhassan Saleh Yakmut, NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF 2nd Vice President, Mr. Shehu Dikko, directors of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, NFF Board members, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Alh. Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande, Alh. Ahmad Kawu, and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
Mallam Yakmut praised the players for their feat saying “The entire nation is proud of you. You have done a great thing to bring honour to this country, and Mr. President is very delighted. I also wish to convey to you the joy of the new Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports,”
Happy Nigerians trooped out in their numbers to celebrate and shower encomiums on the boys as captain of the team, Kelechi Nwakali held the trophy aloft. The players also expressed their happiness to have emerged victorious and make history for the nation having won the competition for a record five times.
“It is a great feeling to be world champions,” noted Funsho Bamgboye who scored the second goal during the finals. “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.”
The minister for sports and youth Mr Solomon Dalong later had dinner with the players at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The team will be decamped on Thursday, to reconvene for a presidential reception at a later date.
