Golden Eaglets, gift of peace and the man, Emmanuel Amunike.

   Football has a way of making Nigerians forget the many problems facing them. Sports, especially football, has been an aspirin of some sort to ailing Nigerians. Coach Emmanuel Amunike led Nigeria's Under 17 team, the Golden Eaglets to victory in the recently concluded U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile.

   Owing to the fact that Nigeria was the defending champions prior to the tournament and the dismal outing they had in the African Youth Championship, not many gave the team a chance. The greatest optimists predicted a quarter final exit. But as is always the case, the God of soccer had other plans.  I watched the Nigeria vs Mexico game heart in mouth. The Mexicans took the game to the Eaglets, but the direct play of the Nigerian side ensured victory at the end of proceedings. Mali have over the years, remained a force in youth football. After a difficult opening period, Osimehn and Bamgboye struck in the second half to hand a hard earned victory to the Eaglets. Nigeria breathed again. From Lagos, Portharcourt, Enugu, Sokoto to Bornu, Nigerians pressed the pause button on their many wahala and in happiness,danced away, according to cultural dictates of one's location at the time. God has a way of making Nigerians smile despite reasons to cry. That victory was Nigeria's fifth. A record. Osimehn, the tournament's highest goal scorer with ten goals broke a long standing goal record.

   Every football team is a mirror or its coach. Emmanuel Amunike, Eaglets coach is not new in Nigeria's and indeed, world football circle. The former Barcelona and Zamalek winger needs no introduction. Fresh in our minds is the Tunisia '94 AFCON final between Nigeria and Zambia. How Amunike dazzled the Zambians and scored both goals to hand Nigeria victory still bring series of orgasm to the oldest and tired phallus. Woe betide the injury that ruined his career and short changed football fans. A direct and football sense laden winger in his days, Amunike was able to thinker that playing style into his baby Eaglets. Little wonder then, why despite falling behind in terms of team play and organisation during the semi final against Mexico, the team stil won and by a wowing margin. Note however that a coach doesn't need to have played the game to instill sense into his players. Many modern day managers did not play but are doing very well. A total understanding of the game being the key. In such cases, the inherent character of the coach will be mirrored in his or her players. A very disciplined coach will produce disciplined players. For a coach with a record of indiscipline, locally brewed gin aka monkey tail, the type that come with automatic tensing of facial muscles when sipped will be served in water bottles to the players day by day. That said, the discipline, patience and direct play of the victorious Golden Eaglets typically reflects the man, Emmanuel Amunike.

   A big congratulations to the Golden Eaglets for a job well done. For making Nigerians proud again. For making Nigerians smile. Indeed the history of the game cannot be written without Nigeria featuring. Why? We hold the record for the most number of U-17 trophies won and highest goal scorer of same competition ever. Notice how Mahmood from the north east hugged Ebitimi from south south in the viewing centre and Obi from south east embraced Kola from the south west? That, is the beauty of the game. The magic it brings. The victory is a sure gift of peace to Nigerians. The question on many lips now as regard the Eaglets is; what next?
Congratulations Nigeria.

Photo credit: saharareporters.com; fifa.com; goal.com
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