TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his wishes for a triumphant outing to the U-17 national football team, the Golden Eaglets, who are in Chile to participate in the 2015 edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup.

In a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the president urged the Golden Eaglets to do their best to match the performance of their predecessors who had won the competition four times, including the inaugural edition in 1985 – when Buhari was the country’s head of state – and the last tournament in 2013.

Shehu quoted the president as assuring the Emmanuel Amuneke-tutored side of the full support of the Federal Government and all Nigerians “as they strive to bring more sporting glory to their fatherland by outplaying all their opponents in Chile and winning the U-17 World Cup for a record fifth time”.

“President Buhari will follow the team’s progress through the tournament in Chile with keen interest and high expectation in the belief that the boys have the skills, dedication and determination required to make Nigeria world champions at the youth level once again,” the statement added.

“He calls on the players to stay focused, avoid all distractions and put their globally acknowledged skills, ability and doggedness on display against the USA on Saturday, Chile on October 20, Croatia on October 23 and in all their subsequent matches to win the tournament and give millions of soccer-loving Nigerians the perfect end-of-year gift.”

Nigeria will face the USA in the opening match.