The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria returned from Togo with the silver position in a tournament they were the defending champions. They were grouped alongside Cote d’Ivoire (CIV) and Ghana in Group B.
It was not the best of outings for them considering their exploits in the cadet tournament in the past. The Eaglets have won the FIFA U17 World Cup for a record five times (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015), thus priding as the most successful team in the history of the FIFA cadet world cup.
The regional tournament was organized by WAFU in prep for the continental competition (AFCON U!7) coming up later this year in Morocco. It also served as the qualifiers for the Maroc event.
The Golden Eaglets lost the first match 0 – 1 to the Baby Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire. Then, drew 1 – 1 with the Black Starlets of Ghana. Ghana’s loss to CIV in the last group game paved the way for the Eaglets to qualify for the semi final of the tournament.
With better prep and mental alertness, the Eaglets won the semi final match against Burkina Faso with a lone goal margin. Emmanuel Papo scored in the 77th minute to seal the final spot for the Eaglets, and also qualify, ipso facto, for the U17 AFCON in Morocco.
Unfortunately, they lost 3 – 2 to same CIV in the final on Monday at Stade de Kegue in Lome, Togo; a game mostly dominated by the Ivorians for a greater duration of the game. They were leading the Eaglets with a 3-goal margin as at the 84th minute. Two late goals from Ahmed Abdullahi were not enough to help the Fatai Amoo-led lads to win the tournament for the second consecutive time.
In response to the above, Nigerians have reacted differently. While some are calling for a total disbandment of the entire team, others are calling for the head of the coach; yet others believe a review is best to remedy the team by fortifying it, and other varied views.
These reactions, as free and opinionated as they are, have necessitated a reminder to the essence of instituting age grade tournaments by FIFA which remains to nurture young talents for the future, beauty and growth of the game. Fundamentally, FIFA member-federations are expected to use these progressive cadre competitions to groom young lads to fortify their senior teams, make provisions for the future and replace ageing players. This is simply natural and procedural.
The big question is: has the essence been actualized in Nigeria? Since we won this tournament for the first time in 1985, why have we not won the senior FIFA World Cup or even get to the final? Why have we won the AFCON for a sparing two times since 1985? Is it that we do not have talents here? Which link has refused to align with others for the realization of the ultimate goal? As an investment, have we gained or lost in this venture?
For answers to these questions and more, follow us on the short series on age grade football concentrating on the Nigerian context while drawing inferences world over. We will serve it hot per day here on www.investogist.com
Azuka Edokobi is a Writer , a Farmer, a Supply Chain Expert and an Entrepreneur
