Uduak Umo
Eagles don’t flock. But not Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys at the
FIFA Under 17 World Cup holding at Chile. These ones field one of the youngest
squads; play with a deadly combination of energy, appetite and intellect. With
the sharpest attack edge in the tournament, the most painstaking midfield, an
amazingly brave and athletic goalie, a shaky defence unit notwithstanding, this
Nigerian Golden Eaglets prove the danger when Eagles flock.
Announcing Prospect
Soccer is like a religion in Nigeria. And it wouldn’t be out
of place to say that the English Premier league only began to gain significant
followership in Nigeria when Nigerians ran out of patience for the national
teams and local clubs following decay in the administration of the game in the
country. In the last decade and more, Nigerians have been deprived the joy of
watching their national teams dominate the world. Hence, publicity for Chile
2015 in Nigeria was met with sad indifference. The people no longer invest
expectation, so they don’t reap frustration.
But Amuneke’s Golden Eaglets have used their last 5 games to
announce eye-catching prospect. Although the junior teams have been outperforming
their more senior counterparts, the performance has not been with such aplomb
as this present Eaglets display.
Revelations of this tournament
Football scouts, teammates, the VIP box must be finding Victor
Osimhen a delight to watch; perhaps opposition team coaches as well. He has
scored 6 goals since arriving Chile, scoring in every game since the
pre-tournament friendly. And he doesn’t just score goals; he wows you with each
one, employing impressive imagination in his play. The gangly 16 year old is like
Kanu Nwankwo with update; a pre-Arsenal-career Emmanuel Adebayor with upgrade
in elegance.
Nigeria doesn’t have to worry over the departure of legend
Vincent Enyeama any longer; Akpan Udo has shown he is a long-term replacement
for the goalie. He is vocal, athletic, savvy and brave. And he hails from the
same tribe as the Lille first-choice keeper - same state (Akwa Ibom), same district.
A slight injury to Edidiong Essien prevented him from
featuring earlier on in the World Cup. He however had a chance to confirm what
counts of scouts love him for in the 6-0 drumming of Australia, bagging what
the Fox Soccer commentator tagged a “brilliant header”. He came on halfway into
the 2nd half as the Nigerian midfield tottered overwhelmed by fluid,
stepped-up Australian play. Few minutes into his arrival, the game changed; the
midfield loosened up and the Eaglets, who already had an early 2-0, were
released to score their 3rd goal and to move on from there. Essien’s
was the 5th goal. Ghanaians and Akwa Ibomites alike took to social
media to lay claim to this very ‘Essien’ – the Ghanaians would be more
energetic if they knew Edidiong’s middle and surname are Michael Essien.
And then there is Samuel Chukwueze, the left-footed
quick-feet attacking midfielder who has scored 3 goals in the competition so
far; and whose speed and dribbling tormented the Chilean defence silencing
their noisy home crowd in their 2nd group game. Nwakali, the
captain, has also shown flashes of mental stability, leadership and passing
aptitude. Bamgboye, Lazarus, Anumudu and Kingsley Michael… are a joy to watch
as well.
Team-play
These individuals are some of the most talented in the Cup –
those who follow consistently can testify to that. What is however more
fascinating than their individual talents is their teamwork. Their youth age
occasionally surfaces in indecisiveness, lack of concentration and shortage of
composure – these are the attributes that come with age – but the boys make up
for such lapses with their game of joint-effort.
The world will henceforth pay more attention to these kids
who are, meanwhile, the defending champions.
Uduak Umo
A PR Consultant, Public Analyst, Writer & Music Analyst
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