TheCable

The Golden Eaglets is Nigeria’s youngest national team which develops players for the Super Eagles, the senior national team.

Nigeria is the most successful team in the U17 level – with a record five wins and five runners-up positions, but much of this has not translated into good for the Super Eagles.

The country won its first title in 1985 side, defeating West Germany 2-0 in the final.

In 1993, Kanu  Nwankwo led a team comprising, Wilson Oruma, Celestine and Emmanuel Babayaro to victory in Japan. Nigeria won again in 2007, 2013 and 2015 respectively.

About 100 players have worn the green-white-green jersey with pride, unfortunately, only a few of these became Eagles.

We take a look at some of these players below:

OMONIGHO TEMILE

Omonigho Temile

Aside Opabunmi who won the silver boot, Temile was another player whose name resounded in the heads of football fans during the 2001 U17 World cup hosted by Trinidad and Tobago. After that tournament – which Nigeria came second after losing 3-0 to France, Opabunmi moved on to cap 6 times for Nigeria but Temile was hardly heard of anymore. He is 31.

KARIMU SHAIBU

Karimu Shaibu

Shaibu was another outstanding player in the 2001 tournament, emerging the second highest goal scorer for Nigeria, behind Opabunmi. He is also 31

KING OSANGA

King Osanga

Osanga’s drive upfront and in the mid-field helped keep Nigeria in the 2007 tournament, winning every game all the way to lifting the trophy in 2007. He was tipped to progress into the senior grade teams but never made it pass the U20.

KENNEDY CHINWO

Kennedy Chinwo

Combative and strong, Chinwo, now aged 30, could drive from behind all the way to the front and even assist in goal scoring. After the 2001 quest with Opabunmi, Temile and others, this former Dolphins player struggled in the local league and was only a big buy for small clubs in Europe. He only played for the Flying Eagles.

VICTOR BROWN

Part of the silver winning 2001 side, Brown scored two goals for the Eaglets and was rated as one of those who could form the next crop of Nigerian stars but he suddenly went into oblivion, with his name only being heard intermittently.

OLADELE AJIBOYE

Oladele Ajiboye

Keeping the posts for a gold winning Eaglets team in 2007 seemed easy for Ajiboye, but making good use of being on international TV was difficult for him. He is 25

KABIRU AKINSOLA

Kabiru Akinsola

All the times that Akinsola came into the Eaglets from the bench in 2007, the game changed. Scoring just one goal with remarkable assists, Akinsola was one of the stars of the competition as he was likened to Obafemi Martins. Sadly, the youngster quickly became forgotten story and did not even make the Flying Eagles team. He is 24.

MACAULAY CHRISANTHUS

Macaulay Chrisanthus

Seven goal hero and golden boot winner of the 2007 U17 World Cup, Chrisanthus shone like a bright light. With stature and poise by his side, he was suggested as the new Nwankwo Kanu but he didn’t live up to that afterwards, never even made the Flying Eagles or U23 team. He is 25.

GANIYU OSENI

Ganiyu Oseni

This chap was praised for his pace in attack which helped him score three goals, but that could not earn him a place in the senior set-up, only a club in Vietnam – though he played once with the U23 side. He is 24

SHERIFF ISA

Sheriff Isa

This 24 year-old was part of the Golden Eaglets team that won the 2007 world cup. Isa, a sokoto-born midfielder only managed to play for the Flying Eagles.