23 October 2009
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FOR three weeks, beginning October 24 through November 15, 2009, global sporting attention will be on Nigeria as the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009 takes centre stage. From its rather humble beginning at China '85, the profile of the world's premier cadet soccer event has grown in importance over the years.
That many of the world's leading football stars first came into international reckoning at the U-17 World Cup, attests to the wisdom and foresight of world soccer governing body, FIFA, in setting up the event. The list of U-17 World Cup products who have gone on to become household names include Ronaldinho, Diego, Fernando Redondo, Carlos Tevez, Michael Essien, Nwankwo Kanu, Harry Kewell, Luis Figo, Xavi, Victor Ikpeba, Jonathan Akpoborie and Celestine Babayaro among others.
Quite significantly, of the teams that have featured in the 12 editions of the U-17 World Cup to date, none could be said to be as emotionally attached to the competition as Nigeria. Although the country's youth teams had won several youth tournaments and invitationals in Scandinavia and other parts of the world, Nigeria's first truly global soccer conquest came at China '85.
Thus, it is no surprise that the FIFA U-17 World Cup remains the most rewarding for Nigerian football. With three conquests each, Nigeria and Brazil rank highest on the competition's eternal table. Interestingly, both countries have each appeared in the final on five occasions.
Nigeria may not have bidded originally for the 13th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup which kicks off tomorrow with the Golden Eaglets taking on European champions Germany in Abuja. But the consensus of opinion was that as defending champions, and given her pedigree in the event, the decision by CAF and FIFA to 'impose' the U-17 World Cup on Nigeria, was done in good faith.
Nigeria is no newcomer to playing host to FIFA event. The Nigeria '99 FIFA U-20 World Cup which threw up the likes of Seydou Keita, Esteban Cambiasso, Ronaldinho, Ashley Cole, Shinji Ono, Rafael Marquez, Roque Santa Cruz, Damian Duff, Robbie Keane, Gabri, Xavi and Diego Forlan among others, was hugely successful. Unsurprisingly, questions have been raised over Nigeria's readiness to host the world this time round. Even as it must be admitted that preparations have been far from ideal, there is no doubt that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has done enough to ensure a memorable World Cup.
From all indications, Nigeria 2009 promises to be the most competitive edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in recent time. Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Italy, Uruguay, Mexico and the Netherlands, are some of the teams angling for Nigeria's title.
Despite several challenges, Eaglets handler, John Obuh, has assured on a good outing. Aside from providing the defending champions with the necessary ammunition to go all the way, a good start is sure to sustain spectatorship in the competition.
Everything points to three weeks of fun and thrills. In our usual style, we have a bumper edition for your delight. Flip to pages 16-22.
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