Ex-- Golden Eaglet, explains why the Under-17 boys succeed than the Eagles.

 Aliu Akeem

The Golden Eaglets are known to be the most successful cadre of male football in Africa. They've  won the World's most precious cup - FIFA World Cups five times and became three times runners up. No other African countries have achieved such in all levels. 

In World Cup finals, they've played against Europe's bigwigs in football yet defeated them. The journey of the success started in 1985, when they defeated Germany to clinch their first title. Thereafter, it became a trend. They defeated: Ghana 1994 , Spain 2003, Mexico. 2007 and Mali 2015. 

Players from the Golden Eaglets have also won the Most Valuable Player award than any other countries and some individual awards. 

Unlike the Super Eagles, whom have not recorded a milestone achievement in global football.

The most successful Nigerian at the World Cup is Ahmed Musa, who has 4 goals. 

The Super Eagles best form in the World Cup was seen in 1994, when they almost qualified for the Quarter Final. But ended at round of 16. Which is the peak of achievements in the history of the country in World Cup

However, they have won the African cup of Nations three times. Compared with some countries like Egypt 7times, Cameroon 5times and Ghana 4times. 

Currently, the Super Eagles ranked 31st best team in the world and 3rd  in Africa. Rashidi Yekini remains the highest goal scorer with 37 tally.

Having represented Nigeria in different stages of football: Under 15s , Under 17s and some others. Mr Kunle Adebayo, a graduate of the Seyi Olofinjana Football Academy in Ogun state, talked to The Social Watch (TSW), about his footballing career and the reason the Super Eagles frail before the Eaglets.

He explained that he started his career from the Principal Cups played in Lagos State secondary schools, where he impressed and became a player of the Babatunde Raji Fashola FC (BRF). Thereafter, he played for some other clubs including Julius Berger FC before heading to represent Nigeria in Coca-Cola competition in UK. 

Thereafter, more chances came his way, from clubs in Ghana, South Africa, Sheffield United in England, wolves , Cardiff and others in Europe for trials. 

His profile earned him another call up to the under 17 National team, where he played and won the trophy against Mali in final. 

He was supposed to be part of the Kelechi Iheanacho team and also Taiwo Awoniyi who won the Under 17 FIFA World Cup in 2013. But a fatal injury soon came to cast a black cloud in his career. The injury took close to three years, before he could step on the pitch again. Then he lost the track. 

Explaining why the Eaglets succeed than the Eagles, he said"

Every player that's been given a chance or opportunity in the golden eaglets, will put all his best. And add the extra ordinary to come to the lime light. From the eaglets , we all want to be invited to the eagles. If this comes, You feel on top of the world. After getting to the Eagles hotel, we feel there's nothing else more. So the eagles no more play for the country, but play for themselves and to impress any big club in Europe. That's why we see many Nigeria 🇳🇬 players play for another country.

Meanwhile, The NFF also contribute to the problems. They don't impress the players in Eagles Camp. Because  the NFF, believes the Eagles are already okay, so they live them to care for themselves at times. 

He however, admits that the money or bonuses they get give them enough motivation to sour higher. 

As a solution to the problems of the Eagles, he said that the coach should adopt a catch them young pattern. The extra ordinary players at the under 17 should be invited to the senior team without much delay. He lauded the current coach Gernort Rohr for his approaches.