Duro Ikhazuagbe
11 November 2009
Lagos — Today's semi final clash between Nigeria and Spain in the on going FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Lagos appears to be a repeat of the final game of the last edition of the competition in South Korea. The Europeans have not forgotten the pains of that defeat. After the regulation time had ended barren, the Golden Eaglets then handled by the late Yemi Tella, snatched a nail biting victory in the penalty kicks that ensued.
It is with that defeat in mind that the Spaniards who have made three finals without any diadem to show are coming into today's game full of vengeance.
But history is clearly in favour of John Obuh's boys. Nigeria is yet to lose any of the semis it has berthed since winning the inaugural edition in 1985 while Spain's only last-four reverse came in 1997 against Ghana.
Interestingly, Obuh, the coach nobody gave any chance of making it to this stage, remains optimistic that the matter will be settled in 90 minutes.
Speaking at Eaglets' training last night at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the former Niger Tornadoes coach insisted that there was no way his boys would allow the game to drag into extra time. " There will be no extra time. My boys are now psychologically ready to confront the Spaniards after posting a convincing win against Korea in Calabar."
He is particularly excited that the Eaglets are playing before Lagos fans who have yearned for the team's presence for a long time. "We feel more at home in Lagos. We know they love us and will do everything possible to ensure that Nigeria gets victory here tomorrow (today)." Neither Spain nor Nigeria have lost a FIFA U-17 World Cup match in regulation time since 2003, a record that both sides will put to the test this evening.
And with the support of a football-mad nation behind them, the tournament hosts firmly believe they can deny the highly motivated Spanish once again.
For many pundits this match could easily be the final. Spain and Nigeria both started the tournament as firm favourites and little has happened over the last three weeks for the experts to change their minds.
Gines Melendez's side have impressed with their polished team play and lethal finishing, though they did look vulnerable in the closing stages of a titanic quarter-final tussle with Uruguay.
The Spanish could yet pay for failing to kill off the South Americans in normal time. Fatigued after a nerve-shredding match went all the way to penalties, the Spaniards will be eager to avoid another marathon against the competition hosts. Hampering their chances of success, however, are the absences of captain Marc Muniesa through suspension, and midfielder Eduardo Ramos, who is out of the tournament with a knee injury.
The Golden Eaglets have no such selection problems, having collected just one yellow card so far. They should also be full of running after dispatching Korea Republic in 90 minutes in Monday's quarter-final. With Stanley Okoro, the best passer of the tournament, pulling the strings in midfield and Ramon Azeez and Abdul Ajagun posing a threat with their late runs, the Europeans will need to be more watchful than ever.
Spain Coach Gines Melendez insisted last night that having suffered the humilation of conceding the trophy to Nigeria two years ago, he would strieve to avoid such in this semi final clash.
"Two years ago they beat us on penalties in the final and today we've boosted our confidence by beating Uruguay in a shootout. We are convinced we won't be losing for a second time to Nigeria. We are ready to get revenge."
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I pray that the golden eaglets win and we are proud of them. GO GOLDEN EAGLETS.