Abuja — As reactions continue to trail Golden Eaglets' defeat in the hands of Switzerland in the finals of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup at the Abuja National Stadium last Sunday, former Minister of Sports, Mr. Damishi Sango has said the cadet team lost the finals because the players underrated their opponents.

Speaking to Trustsports moments after the match, the former minister said although the Eaglets wanted to win the trophy, they made the costly mistake of underrating the abilities of their opponents in the finals.

He said had the boys played with the commitment which they displayed in their previous matches, they would have retained the Cup which their predecessors won in 2007 in Korea.

Sango reiterated that if Eaglets and their officials took into consideration that their opponents had not lost any match in the championship, may be they wouldn't have made the mistake of underrating their opponents.

He said, "when you get to the finals, anything can happen. We had our miracle in Kenya and this night it was the turn of the Swiss to enjoy such miracle. Therefore, we shouldn't complain".

"Eaglets lost to Switzerland because they underrated their opponents. This is one of the mistakes the coach and his players did. They underrated the Swiss. Had it been they followed the performance of the Swiss, they did not lose any match in the Championship. They did not even draw throughout. If you look at the number and caliber of teams they demolished along the way, you will know that they have something to offer".

In addition, he said the Eaglets played the final match as if they were burnt out before the D-day.

He said had the players played up to their potentials or put in even 75% of what they did in the previous matches, they would have been able to win the match.

Although Nigeria did not retain the coveted trophy, he said hosting the cadet Championship was not a total waste.

"When you host, it is not a must that you win. The most important thing is that we have hosted the world and FIFA is deeply satisfied that we hosted well. Nigeria has once again proved that she has the capacity and capability to host the World anytime" he stated.