16 November 2009
Nigeria's foremost bank, First Bank PLC yesterday congratulated the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria over the team's doggedness, resilience and determination throughout the three week period the tournament lasted.
Speaking to Journalists after the excruciating match between Nigeria and Switzerland at the magnificent national stadium in Abuja, the bank's Head Marketing and Corporate Communications Celine Loader commended the team and its technical crew for putting up what she described as the 'never say die fighting spirit' among Nigerians saying but for the team's determination and doggedness, Nigeria would have crashed out of the tournament in the preliminary stage.
Her words "We all saw what happened in the team's very first match against Germany. The team was 0 - 3 down but eventually came back from the dead to stalemate the match.
Since then, Loader said, the team inched match after match closer to the title."
The Marketing and Communications boss also congratulated the team for being the first country to host and play in the final of the tournament. She said though, Nigerians waited anxiously for the team to win the title and further make history by becoming the first team to host and win the title, it was exciting and impressive that the team went ahead despite the odds to feature in the final.
"Nobody gave the team a chance from the commencement of the tournament.
We should therefore celebrate the team for doing the country proud. We would made history hosting and winning the title, but we still made history becoming the first defending champion to go all the way featuring in the final of the tournament. That is commendable."
The bank further congratulated the government and people of Nigeria for staging one of the best and most attended FIFA U - 17 Tournament. "It was amazing watching the crowd who were very responsible across the eight centres that hosted the tournament. It was particularly amazing watching a capacity attendance during the final match between Nigeria and Switzerland. It is something we have to be proud of."
FIFA President, Sepp Blatter confirmed this when he spoke glowingly of the organization and attendance insisting also that FIFA never made mistakes choosing Nigeria as hosts.
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