Before the Flying Eagles took on their English counterparts last night in their first match in the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, President Goodluck Jonathan spoke to the players and officials of the team.
The President spoke first to Head Coach, Sam John Obuh. Obuh reminded the president of a similar encounter during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, at which then as Vice President, his words of encouragement at half time gingered the Golden Eaglets to come from a two-goal deficit to draw 3-3 with Germany in the opening match of the tournament. ?Sir, I remember how you gingered the team with great words and charged them to listen to the coach’s instructions, and they obeyed you.
We eventually drew that match and went on to win silver medal in the tournament. Now, you are the President, and deserves nothing less than gold. That was why we went all out to give you the gold medal and trophy at the African Youth Championship in South Africa in May, with which you celebrated your first year in office. We are equally determined to win this FIFA U-20 World Cup in order to make Your Excellency and Nigerians happy?, said Obuh.
Nine members of Obuh’s 21-man squad at the FIFA U-20 World Cup are in Colombia as part of the U-17 squad that won silver for Nigeria two years ago. President Jonathan spoke with individual members of the technical crew that included assistant coach Abimbola Samuel, assistant coach Yakubu Maidajin, goalkeeper’s trainer Suleiman Shuaibu and all the players. According to the Chief Media Officer of the NFF, Demola Olajire, all the players and officials assured the president of their resolve to do the country proud at the competition which is FIFA’s second most important tournament.
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