Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday had a live telephone conversation with players and officials of the country’s U17 team, the Golden Eaglets,
ahead of a FIFA U17 World Cup final against Mali in Chile.
The live conversation was at the instance of NFF president Amaju Pinnick.
PMB, who was Military Head of State 30 years ago when Nigeria won the inaugural FIFA cadet World Cup in China, and actually gave the team the sobriquet ‘Golden Eaglets,’ tasked the players to win the Cup again and make the country proud.
The President, in chat with players and officials of the team via Skype aided with telephone, said Nigerians were behind them and expect that they will bring the trophy home yet again.
His Excellency took his turn to speak with each and every player and official, thanking them for a job well done so far and urging them to do everything humanly possible to emerge victorious (against Mali) in order to set Nigeria on the path of glory.
Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke and captain Kelechi Nwakali assured Mr. President that the entire team were ready for the final against their West African rivals, and promised to give everything needed to win the trophy in order to “bring smiles to the faces of our people.”
Amuneke said: “It is a great pleasure speaking with you, Mr. President, and we want to assure you that we are going to do our best against Mali on Sunday to successfully defend the trophy.”
The session ended with a soul-lifting rendition of the National Anthem together with Mr. President.