Nigeria Content Online

The Golden Eaglets
of Nigeria were yesterday eliminated from the race for a place in the
9th edition of the African U-17 Youth Championship scheduled for
January/February 2011 in Rwanda after managing just a 1-1 draw with the
visiting cadet team from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The match played at
the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna was the second meeting for both
sides with the Congolese team coming into the game with a 2-0 advantage
from the first leg.

Not even a
controversial penalty kick awarded to the Eaglets, which was lost by
Ebune Harrison midway into the 2nd half nor the presence of the Kaduna
State Governor; Patrick Yakowa could salvage the day for the Eaglets as
they struggled all through the game against their opponents.

The Congolese
opened scoring through their skillful striker Epako Oniongo in the 55th
minute while Nigeria equalised 10 minutes later.

Speaking after the
encounter, Eaglets Coach, Monday Odigie said the woes of his wards
began in Pointe Noir two weeks ago when, according to him, his boys
lost out 2-0 due to questionable officiating.

“We were robbed in
Congo, hence my boys were under undue pressure knowing they have to
score at least three goals to be sure of qualification, they tried
their best but it wasn’t good enough,” he said.

Interim coach of
the Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen described the outcome of the match
as pathetic for the country. He blamed the defeat on several factors,
one of which is the current crisis in the NFF. “It’s a pity for us and
we need to start taking youth development policies seriously. I hope
the issues in the NFF are quickly resolved because in a way it might
have affected us today,” he said.

Booed by fans

Some of the fans
who thronged the stadium to support the Eaglets also expressed
disappointment, saying the selection of players into the team was not a
reflection of the abundant talent in the country.

Abulahi Usman, coach of Kaduna-based Kakuri United said Eaglets coach Monday Odigie failed the nation in his selection.

“I don’t believe
this is best we can get if we search properly, I hope we can start
taking grassroots development serious now,” he said.

Fans booed the Eaglets out of the stadium and cheered the Congolese.

Nigeria was in a
similar situation in 2008 under Coach Alphonsus Dike who after winning
the first leg in Port Harcourt lost 0-3 to Benin Republic in the return
leg to crash out of the competition.

However, the
Eaglets, who were then the defending champions, participated in the
World Cup having gained an automatic ticket as host country.

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will today play a friendly with
Federation Cup champions, Kaduna United in preparation for the next
round of qualification matches for the Libya U-20 Africa Championship.
Kaduna United on their part will be using the game to prepare for both
the Nigeria Premier League opener with Kano United and its campaign in
the continent’s second-tier championships, the CAF Confederation Cup.