By Harry Awurumibe, Head, Abuja Bureau
Apparently to avoid public attention after the team could not make it to the podium in the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-17 tournament in Tanzania, the Golden Eaglets returned to Abuja this afternoon without any fanfare.
The 21 players, coaching crew and backroom staff who participated in the two weeks competition flew into Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Monday afternoon from Dar es Salaam aboard Ethiopian Airlines.
They were received on arrival by the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Nigeria finished in the fourth position in the competition won by Cameroon after the junior Lions defeated Guinea 4-3 on penalty kicks.
Nigeria lost 1-2 to Angola in the Third place match after the Eaglets lost 9-10 in the penalty shootout against Guinea in the semi final.
The Coach Manu Garba- tutored team played a total of five matches in Tanzania. They won two games, drew one but lost two.
However, the Eaglets qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup final in Brazil later this year.