Salute to the Golden Eaglets

The latest victory confirms its supremacy at this level of global soccer. The cheating allegation that plagued earlier successes over fielding of over-aged players could not be made this time around, because the players that formed this team were carefully selected when they were mere 13 year olds.The Golden Eaglets showed early in the tournament […]

The latest victory confirms its supremacy at this level of global soccer. The cheating allegation that plagued earlier successes over fielding of over-aged players could not be made this time around, because the players that formed this team were carefully selected when they were mere 13 year olds.
The Golden Eaglets showed early in the tournament that they had not gone to the UAE just to make up the numbers but to seriously contend for the trophy by scoring 6 goals against Mexico- the winner of the last edition and drawing 3-3 with Sweden. The Nigeria team qualified easily in the group stage and went on to defeat Iran and Uruguay at the quarter and the semi-final stages. Its match against the Uruguay, the highly compact and skilful South American side which the Eaglets subdued through grit, artistry and discipline convinced many sceptics that victory was certain. This was achieved through scoring 3 goals against the same Mexicans earlier beaten 6-1 in the group stage.
The ease with which the Eaglets ran over their opponents suggested that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the sports ministry did their homework well, particularly the selection, camping and training aspects that turned the team into a highly formidable side that vanquished every other team. Therefore the meticulous planning and execution that brought this about should not be a one- off thing but a sustained programme to ensure the Eaglets retains their foremost position in the U-17 global soccer ranking.
 The government and many soccer loving individuals and organisations have poured encomiums, cash awards, and other gifts on the Eaglets for once again giving Nigerians cause to be proud by buoying up their spirits. They richly deserve the material gifts and moral support. Yet, more than the gifts, what the players really need most is a concerted programme of mentoring that would ensure they acquire the education and skills that would serve them in future, even while they continue with their football careers.
At 17, it is not inconceivable that the monetary and other gifts may plunge some of them into sudden affluence for which they may be unprepared, causing them to get carried away and to take to unwholesome attitude that could derail their careers. The onus to ensure this does not happen is on the shoulders of the NFF and sports ministry, the two bodies should make the players future wellbeing their concerns. The exquisite football skills the Eaglets displayed at the tournament will certainly make them targets for poaching by big European teams in Europe and elsewhere to seek to recruit them; but without proper handling they could fall victims to potentially exploitative contracts that would not stand them in good stead when their playing times end.  
FIFA introduced the age-grade soccer tournaments –U-17, U-21 and U-23-in order that the experience gained at these levels would be taken to the senior level to enable most countries compete at the same level of competence during world cup tournaments. Countries that excel consistently at that level have been those that have taken the pains to nurture and horned talents from the lower levels for use at the senior level.
The sterling achievement of Nigeria at the UAE makes Nigeria the team to beat at this level. It is about time therefore that this winning streak is taken to higher levels of soccer tournaments. To do that would entail deft grooming of the raw talents and skills displayed at the lower levels and made good to be tapped and used effectively at the senior level.
It is the ability to do this that has turned Brazil into a perennial winner of the World Cup. Nigeria could achieve similar feats by simply taking advantage of the abundant talents available to it, as well as making its football organisations eschew bungling in football administration, which sometimes lead to disputes over bonuses and other player entitlements.