President Muhammadu Buhari, on behalf of the Federal Government and millions of very happy and proud Nigerians, has congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their victory over Mali in the final match of this year’s Under-17 FIFA World Cup tournament in Chile.
President Buhari applauds the exemplary zeal, determination, commitment, hard work, patriotism and soccer artistry which the youthful Golden Eaglets put on display throughout the tournament to win the championship for a record fifth time.
The President notes with delight that the Golden Eaglets not only won the coveted Under-17 FIFA World Cup, but they are also bringing home highly-valued individual awards such as the Golden Boot won by Victor Osimhen for being the tournament’s highest goal scorer and the Golden Ball, won by the team captain, Kelechi Nwakali for being the best player.
President Buhari believes that by their triumph in Chile, the Golden Eaglets have shown the world that the indomitable Nigerian spirit is alive and waxing stronger.
For the President, the Golden Eaglets’ latest victory on the global stage is an affirmation of the significant progress Nigeria is now making towards positively redefining and rediscovering its potential for greatness in the comity of nations.
President Buhari trusts that if all other Nigerians imbibe and exhibit the doggedness, determination and patriotism displayed by their youthful compatriots in Chile, Nigeria will surely make faster progress towards becoming the strong, united, peaceful, secure and prosperous nation envisioned by its people.
The President joins other proud Nigerians in awaiting the Golden Eaglets triumphant return to a heroes’ welcome from a joyous and grateful nation.
Also, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday congratulated the Golden Eaglets for their feat at the just concluded tournament held in Chile.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the resilience of the Eaglets to go all the way to defend their title which they won in the UAE two years ago was typical of the Nigerian spirit in the face of any daunting challenge.
“This is another eloquent testimony to the fact that Nigeria is a great country with enormous potential and we can achieve anything and everything if we are united and determined towards a course or a target.”
“On behalf of the good people of Lagos State, I congratulate the victorious team, the technical team and all the backroom staff for this feat”, the Governor said.
In the same vein, Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has congratulated the Golden Eaglets, saying the victory has kept Nigerians tenacity of making positive history, especially in age-grade football alive, recalling that Nigeria won the first edition in China 30 years ago.
“This is a profound and unique instance of history repeating itself on a positive note, especially when it is recalled that in 30 years Nigeria has now won the cup five times. In the process, winning it back to back and throwing up all time highest goal scorer in Victor Osimhen thus earning the bragging rights as the best age grade football nation in the world.
“If on the field of play Nigerians never bothered where each player comes from, if the religious persuasions or lack of it, of each player never raised any concern; if as a nation we can rally round our teams in unison without such ethno-religious biases why can’t we translate such high qualities of patriotism into other aspects of our national life”, the governor wondered.
On his part, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, congratulated the Enyimba International Football Club of Aba and the Nigerian Golden Eaglets for their exceptional victories which have made Abia State and Nigeria proud.
Governor Ikpeazu expressed happiness over the achievements of Enyimba FC which has brought glory to the state and thanked the management and the players for being great ambassadors of the state, adding that by the feat, Enyimba has confirmed that Abia State remains Nigeria’s soccer power house.
In the same vein, the Governor also congratulated the Nigerian Golden Eaglets, who have retained the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fifth time with its 2-0 win against Mali in Vina Del Mar.
Governor Ikpeazu said the victory of the Golden Eaglets is a double celebration for the people of Abia and Nigerians.
