Manu Garba’s boys claimed an impressive 4-2 victory over Hungary on Saturday in Brazil but had to show resilience to earn the win in a manner that left many gasping for breathe at the final whistle, not least the Sports Minister.
Nigeria’s honourable Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has revealed how he was left standing and uncomfortable as the Golden Eaglets chased an equalizer for almost 80 minutes and how their eventual victory brought him happiness.
Earlier in the day, the Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, had charged the Golden Eaglets to give their best and make the nation proud by recording a huge victory over the Europeans.
“The Golden Eaglets will today begin the chase for their sixth World Cup title in the FIFA U-17 W’Cup in Brazil. Against Hungary today they must seek to win and win big. We wish them the best throughout the championships. Go Eaglets!!”, he tweeted.
The Golden Eaglets will today begin the chase for their sixth World Cup title in the FIFA U-17 W’Cup in Brazil. Against Hungary today they must seek to win and win big. We wish them the best throughout the championships. Go Eaglets !!
— Sunday Dare,CON (@SundayDareSD) October 26, 2019
However, the match did not start as Nigerians would have scripted it though as three minutes into the tie the Golden Eaglets fell behind to a Gyorgy Komaromi goal.
The Golden Eaglets’ captain Tijani stepped up to draw the Africans back on level terms from the penalty spot twenty minutes later.
Just after the half hour-mark, Hungary were back in front from a Samuel Major strike after taking advantage of a defensive error.
But the five-time world champions had not suffered many defeats at this level and were not going to surrender easily to a loss.
After the break, the coach Manu Garba-tutored boys showed more hunger for an equaliser and once game-changer, Akinkunmi Amoo, was introduced, it became a matter of when and not if.
Three goals from Ibrahim, Adeniyi and Tijani (again) in the last ten minutes turned the result in favour of Nigeria.
The swinging, turpsy-turvy nature of the victory made countless Nigerian fans uncomfortable for the most part of the encounter, not leaving out the honourable Minister.
Mr Sunday Dare revealed on social media site Twitter how he went from a state of nervousness and doubt to one of joy and celebration.
“I was on my feet almost throughout the game. I watched these boys train in Abuja and I knew they were a bunch of good players. We move on with lessons learnt. I am confident they will get better and stronger. We just saw the Nigerian football spirit back on!”, the Sports Minister tweeted.
I was on my feet almost throughout the game. I watched these boys train in Abuja and I knew they were a bunch of good players. We move on with lessons learnt. I am confident they will get better and stronger. We just saw the Nigerian football spirit back on ! pic.twitter.com/6GtqO93KDQ
— Sunday Dare,CON (@SundayDareSD) October 26, 2019
Don't know about you guys but the Minister, @SundayDareSD, is over the moon right now! From 2-1 down to 4-2 up in Under eight minutes! Superb performance by the Golden Eaglets!!! #FIFAU17WC pic.twitter.com/MbhzVCmeWl
— Office of the Minister of Youth & Sports Dev. (@OMYSDNg) October 26, 2019
https://www.twitter.com/OMYSDNg/status/1188215471360880641
Congratulations Golden Eaglets! Truly Golden. There’s NO killing the Nigerian spirit !
— Sunday Dare,CON (@SundayDareSD) October 26, 2019