Lagos — NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi said yesterday that the Golden Eaglets' amazing come -back against Germany on Saturday at the FIFA U-17 World Cup underscored the best of the world -famous 'Nigerian spirit'. In their very first match in defence of the title they won two years ago in Korea Republic, the Nigeria U-17 team went down 3-0 after 47 minutes, but staged a remarkable recovery to level matters with just an hour of the match played at the National Stadium, Abuja.

"Their display showed the true Nigerian spirit, the never -say -die performance that we crave from every Nigerian involved in any serious project. It was superb not because they were able to gain a point from the game but because everyone took them for dead, and they came alive.

"I believe this performance, especially the spirit they showed and the reward they got, will stand them in good stead to go far in the tournament", said the NFF boss, who is also Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the championship.

Germany showed consistency, agility, pace and cohesion as expected of a team that has been together for the past 18 months and won the European Championship on home soil five months ago, but the enthusiasm and strength of the Nigerian team was never in doubt. Yet, the Eaglets who started on a furious pace conceded the first goal after 21 minutes, and the second six minutes before half -time, then a third two minutes after the re -start.

Seemingly without hope, Nigeria continued to toil and got a goal through a penalty kick after Omoh Ojabu, a 47th minute substitute, was upended in the box in the 54th minute. Stanley Okoro sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, and when defender Kenneth Omeruo nodded in a corner kick five minutes later, the fans began to believe. Then, two minutes later, substitute Edafe Egbedi rifled home.

The Eaglets went swimming yesterday evening at their Transcorp Hilton Hotel abode, as they relaxed ahead of tomorrow evening match against pointless Honduras .

"We want the boys to relax and loosen up after a hard game, and then tomorrow (Monday), we will resume training. Our aim is to get the three points against Honduras and then start planning for Argentina ", said Head coach Sam John Obuh.

Group leaders Argentina take on Germany in Tuesday's first match at the National Stadium, Abuja , before the Eaglets take on Honduras at 7pm.