Nigeria Face Mexico In Today's Under 17 World Cup Finals

The final match of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup tourney takes place today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are part of it. Millions of Nigerians have followed the competition since Match Day One and the nation has been entertained by the performance of the Nigerian lads so far.

 As the Golden Eaglets square up to the Mexican Under-17 team in today’s final match, Nigerians expect nothing less than victory and the trophy at stake. Considering the country’s track record in this competition and the current squad’s performance, the nation’s hope for triumph today is well placed. Nigeria has won the cup a record three times and has played in the competition and the final match more than any other country since the first tournament in China, in 1985. Also, the performance of the current crop of the Golden Eaglets has been sterling, much like that of their victorious predecessors.

In the group phase of this tournament, the Golden Eaglets walloped Mexico, the defending champions 6-1, played a 3-3 draw against Sweden and thereafter defeated Iraq 5-0.  In the knockout stage, the Golden Eaglets met their Iranian counterparts and triumphed 4-1. Thereafter, the Golden Eaglets beat Uruguay 2-0 in the quarterfinals and confirmed their superiority over the Swedes with a 3-0 win in their second meeting in the semi-final stage, to qualify for today’s final. Victory in today’s match will be the well-deserved icing on the cake for the Golden Eaglets’ excellent showing in the tournament, and cheery news for the country in these trying times.

On paper, the Golden Eaglets appear to have an edge over the Mexicans, having trounced the defending champions in the group stage of this championship. However, football does not always conform to such logic. We, therefore, urge the Golden Eaglets to put that initial victory over the Mexicans behind them and give today’s match all the hard work and seriousness it deserves. On no account must they underrate their opponents and no department of the game should be left to chance.

While not putting the young lads under any undue pressure, the Manu Garba-led coaching crew needs to impress the importance of the task at hand today on the minds of the Golden Eaglets and fire them up to victory. We want the Golden Eaglets to know that the whole country is behind them as they file out for today’s final match, and wish them victory over their opponents. 

We also admonish the whole nation, especially the supporters club there in Dubai, to give the boys the necessary moral and spiritual boost they need to deliver on their promise of lifting the cup today.