For about 25 minutes on Saturday evening, President Muhammadu Buhari spoke with the Golden Eaglets and their officials, urging them to strive for victory today in the final of the Under-17 FIFA World Cup holding in Chile.

Nigeria first won the same tournament in China in 1985, when President Buhari was military Head of State, and he urged the team to repeat the same feat tomorrow against Mali, to make it the fifth time Nigeria will win the trophy. He specifically charged top striker Victor Osimhen, who has scored nine goals so far in the competition: “Strike like thunder tomorrow. I believe you will bring us victory.”

The President had started with the head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke. He congratulated him for leading the team to the final, and then said: “Your victory tomorrow will remind Nigerians of what happened in China 30 years ago, and it will raise the morale of Nigerians, especially the youths. We’re praying for you. We are anxiously waiting to receive the cup. Please put us on the world map of soccer again.”

Speaking to Udoh Akpan, the goalkeeper, President Buhari said he was a very strategic member of the team, noting: “If you don’t let in the goals, then none will be scored against us. We look forward to lifting the cup.”

To John Lazarus, a defender, the President said: “Don’t allow anybody to penetrate the defence,” while charging Tobechukwu Ibe, another defender to “rest well today, because a lot of Nigerians will be depending on you tomorrow.”

The captain of the team, Kelechi Nwakali, was charged to maintain his winning leadership, while Joel Osikel, a midfielder, was told by the President that he was “the jewel of the team,” and challenged to contribute his quota towards victory.

Apart from the 21 players and head coach, President Buhari also had encouraging words for other members of the technical team, the team doctor, physiotherapist, media officer, and other officials.

Both Coach Amuneke and the team captain thanked President Buhari for his support, and promised not to let him and the country down.

•State House Photo shows President Buhari speaking on phone with the Golden Eaglets . . . yesterday.

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