Golden Eaglets arrived Canada in 1987 to defend the FIFA Under-17 Championships which they won at inception at China ’85. Two memebers of the 1985 squad, Fatai Atere and Tonworimi Duere, were retained by Coach Sebastine Brodericks -Imasuen. The star player was Philip ‘Zanza’ Osondu.
The Eaglets were in Group D, New Found Land alongside USSR, Mexico and Ecuador. In their first game against the Soviets at George the Fifth Stadium, Albert Eke [Carlos Alberto] equalized a minute to time to leave scores at 1-1. Dimeji Lawal was voted JVC Player of the Match. Osondu was outstanding but unable to score.
In their next game against Bolivia, the former PZ Falcons of Aba [now Enyimba] striker showed class. Wearing jersey number 17, he got a hat trick to give Nigeria a 3-2 victory. The Bolivians fought from behind to draw level twice until the killer goal in the 78th. Osondu was also voted Player of the Match.
The Bolivian coach was shocked. He said : “I have travelled wide especially in Europe where the game is well developed. But I have not seen players of this age who play with the speed and skill of the Nigerians”.
The Eaglets are in Brazil for the 2019 edition of the championships. In their second match, they defeated Ecuador 3-2, the same scores they earned against Bolivia in 1989. And quite like Osondu, Said Ibrahim scored thrice to give Nigeria victory. Ecuador and Bolivia are in South America. And the winning goals came during injury time.
In 1989, the Eaglets scored first against Bolivia. In Brazil, they also drew the first blood against Ecuador. Osondu scored the third goal after scores read 2-2. Ibrahim hit the winning goal after both teams were tied 2-2.
The Canada ’87 Eaglets lost their last group game 1-0 to Mexico and were lucky to qualify on goals difference after both teams finished with three points. The Brazil 2019 Eaglets still have a long way to go although they are through to the semi finals from Group D.
And the Canada ’87 Eaglets will live to remember Brazil for their inability to win the trophy. In the 1-0 loss to Mexico, referee Jose Ramiz Wright, from Brazil sent off Charles Obazee [Mr. Black]. That was in the 50th minute. In the next 60 seconds, the Mexicans got their goal through Carlos Rivero. What saved Nigeria was that Russia had pounded Mexico 7-0 earlier. Again Osondu was voted JVC Player of the Match.
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In the quarter finals, Eaglets beat Australia 1-0 at the Robilland Stadium, Montreal. Skipper Atere was injured and replaced by Christopher Nwosu [Branco] who scored the lone goal that ensured victory in the 60th minute. Osondu was brought down in the 46th but Oladunni Oyekale [Cerezo] missed from the spot. Man of the Match was Tony Emoedoefu.
In the semi finals, Italy were favoured to win because Toronto had a huge population of Italians. And they filled the stands in what became the largest attendance. Crowd was 20,117 at the Varsity Stadium.
FIFA came under strictures for allowing Italy play Ricardo Secci who was disqualified by UEFA in the European Championships for being over-age. Nwosu scored again, the lone goal that pushed Nigeria to the final Dimeji was voted Man of the Match.
Brazil was on everyone’s lips in the grand finale. Referee Wright came back to torment the Eaglets. The opposition was USSR, group rivals. The Soviets scored first like they did in the group 1-1 draw. It took them only six minutes. In the next six, Osondu equalized. Again it ended 1-1. Extra time was going the way of Nigeria as Oyekale waltzed past three opposing defenders.
Referee Wright knew Oyekale was almost certain to score. He did the unimaginable. He awarded a free kick to the Eaglets who had advantage. John Momoh of the Nigerian Television Authority [NTA] was outraged. “The wicked have done their worst”, he said.
The Soviets won the trophy 3-1 on penalties. Taiwo Enegwae, Nwosu and Bawa Abdullahi, who captained the team in the absence of Atere due to injury, lost their kicks. Osondu was voted Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the tournament and with four goals, won the Bronze Boot. Eaglets also lifted the Fair Play trophy.
Other members of the team were keepers Angus Ikeji and Sarafa Salami, Jibrin Baba, Eli Ayuba, Segun Fetuga and Peter Ogaba. Kingsley Ogbodo and Uche Okagbue could not make the final list to Canada. Brodericks was assisted by Kelechi Emeteole and John Zendai.
Said Ibrahim has more games ahead in Brazil and I am sure he would wish to be luckier than Osondu by lifting the trophy even if it means not being voted Player of the tournament.
The Eaglets will play Australia in the third game of the group. Remember, the Canada ’87 Eaglets also confronted Australia and won 1-0 in the semi finals courtesy of Umuahia born, Ibadan brought up , Christopher Nwosu.
