Connect U2 Nigerians.
Golden Eaglets, So Far So Good
Nigerians watched with bated breath when their Under 17 team played with their German opponents in the opening match of the ongoing FIFA championship. The tension was both in the Nigerians who watched the 24 October match at the National Stadium, Abuja and the millions of Nigerians who stayed glued to their television sets.
The Germans wasted no time as they scored two goals in the first half and scored another one in the second half. At this time it appeared every hope of Nigeria performing well in that encounter was lost. Even the chances of Nigeria making tangible progress in the tournament appeared slim.
But things began to change, when Nigeria scored three goals in quick succession, thus ending the match in a draw.
Yesterday, it was moments of tension again as the Golden Eaglets confronted Honduras who had earlier been beaten by Argentina one goal to nil. This time it was Nigeria that dominated the game but the goals were not coming. The Nigerian lads, though athletic and improved their game tremendously, could not convert the many opportunities they had to score goals. Also, the Hondurans who, perhaps wanted to prove that they were no minnows in football, were forced to play a defensive game in the first half and thwarted Nigeria’s attacking moves.
A breakthrough came eventually for the Nigerians when Abdul Ajagun scored a goal in the second half. So far, so good. But Nigerians still have a hurdle to cross if they must qualify for the round of six and a lot more hurdles to jump if they are to successfully defend the trophy they won two years ago.
The Argentine team which beat the Germans, are the next opponents they will face. Already, Argentina have qualified for the next round by getting six points from two matches. Nigeria have four points from same number of matches but need at least a draw against Argentina to qualify for the round of 16 matches. The Germans have one point but they can get four if they beat Honduras. They still have a chance of qualifying for the next round if they score many goals against the Hondurans.
To attain victory, the coach of the Golden Eaglets, John Obuh needs to work on his wards. Goal scoring has recently been the bane of the major national teams in Nigeria. Poor marksmanship seems to be the problem of this Under 17 team. Obuh needs to work on his strikers. Let them learn to shoot accurately at their opponents’ goal. Let them also learn how to make accurate passes.
If they can do these and remain cool headed, Argentina may be no threat to them when they clash in Bauchi.
We are not comfortable with the number of spectators at the matches involving Nigeria in Abuja. Nigerians should come out to support their team when they confront their opponents. This kind of support can only have a positive psychological effect on the team.
We exhort the Golden Eaglets, who are the defending champions, to go only for gold in order to retain the trophy they won in 2007 under the late Coach Yemi Tella.
The Germans wasted no time as they scored two goals in the first half and scored another one in the second half. At this time it appeared every hope of Nigeria performing well in that encounter was lost. Even the chances of Nigeria making tangible progress in the tournament appeared slim.
But things began to change, when Nigeria scored three goals in quick succession, thus ending the match in a draw.
Yesterday, it was moments of tension again as the Golden Eaglets confronted Honduras who had earlier been beaten by Argentina one goal to nil. This time it was Nigeria that dominated the game but the goals were not coming. The Nigerian lads, though athletic and improved their game tremendously, could not convert the many opportunities they had to score goals. Also, the Hondurans who, perhaps wanted to prove that they were no minnows in football, were forced to play a defensive game in the first half and thwarted Nigeria’s attacking moves.
A breakthrough came eventually for the Nigerians when Abdul Ajagun scored a goal in the second half. So far, so good. But Nigerians still have a hurdle to cross if they must qualify for the round of six and a lot more hurdles to jump if they are to successfully defend the trophy they won two years ago.
The Argentine team which beat the Germans, are the next opponents they will face. Already, Argentina have qualified for the next round by getting six points from two matches. Nigeria have four points from same number of matches but need at least a draw against Argentina to qualify for the round of 16 matches. The Germans have one point but they can get four if they beat Honduras. They still have a chance of qualifying for the next round if they score many goals against the Hondurans.
To attain victory, the coach of the Golden Eaglets, John Obuh needs to work on his wards. Goal scoring has recently been the bane of the major national teams in Nigeria. Poor marksmanship seems to be the problem of this Under 17 team. Obuh needs to work on his strikers. Let them learn to shoot accurately at their opponents’ goal. Let them also learn how to make accurate passes.
If they can do these and remain cool headed, Argentina may be no threat to them when they clash in Bauchi.
We are not comfortable with the number of spectators at the matches involving Nigeria in Abuja. Nigerians should come out to support their team when they confront their opponents. This kind of support can only have a positive psychological effect on the team.
We exhort the Golden Eaglets, who are the defending champions, to go only for gold in order to retain the trophy they won in 2007 under the late Coach Yemi Tella.
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