Nigeria’s sports minister, Sunday Akinlabi Dare is leading the avalanche of accolades, kudos and congratulations on the Golden Eaglets, following their second straight win at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil, as he reckons Tuesday night’s feat confirmed the players’ immense fighting spirit, megasportsarena.com reports.
Making his thoughts known in am message after the Eaglets’ second straight win at Brazil 2019, following their opening 4-2 spanking of Hungary in similar fashion at same venue on Saturday, Dare enthused that the high level of ‘Nigerian can-do-spirit’ being exhibited by Manu Garba’s squads can take them all the way to the trophy.
The minister was ecstatic, after Ibrahim Sa’id scored the first hat-trick of Brazil 2019, taking the Eaglets 3-2 past Ecuador at Estadio Olimpico in Goiania, as the Nigerian lads staged yet another dramatic comeback for a second straight match and qualified for the Round of 16 on six points.
Sa’id starred for Nigeria from start to finish, with his first sizzler coming after only five minutes, as he he positioned himself in the right place to capitalise on an errant pass from Ecuador captain and goalkeeper, Joan Lopez.
He then popped up to be counted in style, when the Eaglets trailed 2-1 with five minutes to go, as Sa’id was there to complete his brace and hat-trick in the 85th and 89th minutes, of which his second goal was the pick of his pack, with a curling blast from outside the left corner of the box.
La Tri went blow for blow with Nigeria for the majority of the match, trading opportunities, even enjoying more meaningful possession after half-time, which led to Johan Mina’s penalty goal in the 56th minute, after a check by Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
However, the Eaglets began to wrest the game from Ecuador in the 80th minute, and the South American side’s lead slipped away soon thereafter, as Sa’id took over the show with his treble completed, while Olakunle Olusegun almost made it four, but the game ended 3-2 for Nigeria.
However, while expressing delight with the never-say-die Nigerian zeal being displayed by the Eaglets at Brazil 2019, Dare went on to charge the players to keep working hard until they confirm pre-competition ratings as favourites for a sixth Cadet Mundial title.
While charging the players to continue playing all their matches with their hearts, the minister pointed out that all Nigerians already believe in the lads’ ability to rule the world once again, as their fans are confident in the skills and determination they have shown so far in Brazil.
Dare stated with glee: “I urge the Golden Eaglets to give their heart and soul, but Nigerians are confident in their skills and determination. The Nigerian can do spirit again comes on display and the brilliance of our youth football is there for the world to see.”
