Eaglets’ performance thrills Elegbeleye

Golden Eaglets players celebrating

Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegebelye, has showered praises on the Golden Eaglets for the team’s 5-0 defeat of Iraq in Friday’s Group final F match of the ongoing FIFA U- 17 World Cup at the Rashid Stadium, Dubai.

The DG of the NSC, who has never hidden his love and trust in the abilities of the Eaglets and their coaches, was happy that the team bounced back from the initial scare in the competition when they came back from two goals down to end their second match of Group F 3-3 against debutants Sweden in Al Ain, UAE on Tuesday.

“The Golden Eaglets have been wonderful from the African qualifiers up till this World Cup in United Arab Emirates and I am very proud of the team.

“They had an initial scare in Tuesday’s second group match but I still had confidence in them despite the 3-3 draw.

“The coaches of the team led by Manu Garba have also proved their worth by lifting the morale and psychology of this team.

“And it reflected in the way the boys tore Iraq to shreds, especially in the first half of the game. It also shows that the team have a strong character by bouncing back from the game against Sweden in just three days to beat their opponents with such a margin.

“The leadership of the National Sports Commission is happy with the team and their coaches, and we are encouraging them to go all the way to win this trophy for Nigeria for a fourth time. I am also using this medium to commend the Nigeria Football Federation for preparing this team well through their pre-tournament camping in Calabar and later in Dubai.”