GLORIOUS EAGLETS POISED TO CELEBRATE AGAIN

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

Tens of millions of Africans, especially Nigerians have been celebrating as the Under 17 national football team, the Eaglets have taken the world by storm during the current Under 17 World Cup finals; this week the Eaglets swept into the very final with panache, swatting aside an adept Swedish team in the semi finals 3-0.

Cue widespread celebrations all over the nation; the young ones have indeed been doing the country and Africa proud and are poised to meet Mexico in the final – with the Eaglets definitely favourites to win – a victory in the very final, and unbridled joy would sweep through the country….

Yet a very large part of the footballing world would be forgiven to think what the fuss is all about. It might seem shocking to realize that even among ardent football followers most of them just do not care about the under 17 World Cup; most of the excitement alas is concentrated in Nigeria! Certainly in South Africa hardly any of the teeming football lovers are aware of the current feats of the Eaglets.

Yes, this would surprise many especially Nigerians who for decades have always loved the exploits of the Eaglets who (before this current final) had won this particular World Cup at least three times. Those of us who are “old codgers” remember all too well the incredible glee in 1985 when Nigeria won the maiden edition of the international competition. The likes of Nduka Ugbade (then peerless Captain of the team) became legends (see pix above). Extraordinary laurels were bestowed on the victorious kids at the time.

It was more or less the same in 1993 when the then Eaglets, inspired by the gangling Kanu Nwankwo brilliantly won the Under 17 Cup again. Great happiness swept the land, and Nwankwo in particular at least went onto have a wonderful career as a brilliant footballer all over the world. For decades Nigerians have always followed the progress of its Under 17 and Under 20 or even 21 squads. It is still the same….

Yet the western world considers such tournaments as very small beer indeed, hardly even bothering to send decent squads to such events. The parent clubs often frown at the idea of their key players starring at such tournaments and look for excuses for such starlets to withdraw – in the end a second string squad would “grace” such tournaments, a team barely recognizable to pertinent  football followers!

Why are these “big” footballing nations sceptical of such global tournaments for the kids; why would they not relish the opportunities for their starlets to garner even more exposure? Suffice it to say that these exalted clubs care only about themselves really, and do not want the possibility of such players being injured…and of course apart from the lofty national football leagues in countries like Germany, Spain, England, Italy, there is also a lot of concentration on the European Champions League for clubs; hence the tournaments for the youngsters become something of a nuisance and irritation on such shores.

In fairness to South America, they often take the age-competitions quite seriously, and it is no surprise that the world is soon alerted to extraordinary talents from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay etc thanks to the Under 20, or Under 17 tournaments. Argentina for example showcased the skills of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguerro from such early age grade competitions. In Africa this is also often the case; especially in Ghana which is famous for unearthing and encouraging talented kids from a very young age. The 6-1 thrashing of Egypt (by the Ghana national team) in the latest World Cup qualifiers is recent proof that the Ghanaians certainly have their eye on the ball as it were.

As Africans we can state that we believe unequivocally in the efficacy of tournaments like the Under 17 and the under 20 World Cup finals. More than that, we relish and bask at such occasions. Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon etc have traditionally done well at such events. And right now Nigeria is expected to win the latest edition of the under 17 World Cup final this Friday. The boys have been doing very well with their cascade of fine football garnished with a plethora of goals. We wish them all the best as they face Mexico in the final…