Gideon Ayogu — As Nigeria 2009 kicks off tomorrow, the nation's representatives, the Golden Eaglets will be looking to make history as the first side to claim the coveted trophy for a record four times.

The Eaglets top the list of FIFA U-17 World Cup wins alongside Brazil, having secured their third title in Korea 2007 when the late Yemi Tella introduced players like Macauley Chrisantus, Rabiu Ibrahim and Yakubu Alfa onto the world stage.

Prior to the success in Korea, the Eaglets had won the cadet championship twice, annexing the inaugural edition in China 1985 and repeating the feat in Japan 1993 when a team complete with Wilson Oruma and Nwankwo Kanu held the world spell-bound with their fluid display of attacking football.

Asia has been a happy hunting ground of sorts for the Eaglets as all three triumphs came in that continent and majority of Nigerians will now be hoping that the luck of Asia could be replaced with home advantage.

With a partisan and vociferous home support, the Eaglets should be able to put their traditional strengths of physicality, technique and discipline to good use in winning a record fourth title.

After naming his 21-man squad for the championship, coach of the side, John Obuh, had declared: "My goal is to turn a group of individuals into a tight-knit unit where each player gives everything for his team-mates and remains focused for the entire match. I have now achieved this and I know that this team can measure up against any opposition."

If his words of the former Kwara United coach are anything to go by, then the Eaglets could just be on the verge of keeping a date with history.