Golden Eaglets receive heroic welcome
By Olukayode Thomas, Wole Shadare, Omobola Tolu-Kusimo and Olalekan Okusan
THOUSANDS of Nigerians from all walks of life trooped to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos yesterday to welcome the victorious Nigerian Golden Eaglets.

They were crowned King of the World on Sunday after beating Spain in the final of the prestigious Under-17 World Cup in Korea.

Already, the Senate has called for a handsome reward for the Eaglets who have done the country proud.

The members of the team, who arrived in the country aboard Emirates Airlines, were led by their handler, Coach Yemi Tella.

The aircraft, B777-300 (ER) touched down at the airport at about 2:30p.m. and Nigerians who had arrived earlier stayed around to catch a glimpse of the football heroes.

With airport formalities concluded, people surged forward to exchange pleasantries with them as they were hurriedly ushered into Toyota Coaster buses provided by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, who came to the airport as early as 1:50p.m. to receive the team. They were driven to the Presidential Wing of the Lagos airport where they were allowed to grant interviews.

Dressed in grey suits with the inscriptions of Intercontinental Bank, they were ushered into the inner chamber of the Presidential Lounge for a group photograph.

It was a carnival-like scene at the Presidential Wing of the Airport, as the Eaglets entered into an open lorry for a road show from the airport to Maryland and the popular Ikorodu road.

As early as 9a.m. yesterday, people had gathered at the Presidential Wing of the Lagos Airport, as news filtered out that they would be brought to the area.

The Nigerian Football Supporters' Club came around, and added colour to the event as they beat drums and danced away to a variety of songs.

Two of the players, Rabiu Ibrahim, and Abdulkareem Lukman were ill, as they were taken into a Lagos State Ambulance with registration number LA 124 A08 for medical attention in an undisclosed hospital.

Fashola said: "We are proud of them. They showed courage and discipline. Penalty is a game of courage and not that of luck. It is important that the female team also had a draw against the highly rated Sweden. The future is in our hands, it is left for us to improve on what they have done."

Tella described the victory as the handiwork of God, adding that his players did the country proud.

He said that the victory has shown that Nigerians were capable of performing feats if given the opportunity.

Udoh Udoh, father of Kingsley Udoh, a defender with the team was also on hand to receive the team.

Udoh, who was accompanied by two of his children to welcome their brother, was all over the airport bubbling with joy.

The senior Udoh, who said he had arrived as early as 10 a.m. enthused: "I am so happy that my son has made me proud. Throughout the match I was always praying for him. I did not watch any of the matches and I thank God that they are victorious."

Skipper Lukeman Haruna said the team was able to succeed because of prayer and determination.

Also, national team sponsor, Globacom Limited, has congratulated the lads. According to Okon Iyanam, the company's Executive Director, Marketing Communications, the victory over Spain was well deserved and confirmed Globacom's earlier rating of Nigeria as a land flowing with football talents.

''Globacom is proud of the achievement of the Golden Eaglets who on Sunday confirmed that Nigeria is a land of world class football talents. As a world class telecommunications network provider, Globacom will continue to support and empower talented football players in Nigeria to find expression for their talents as the Eaglets'', Iyanam said. He also congratulated the technical crew led by Coach Yemi Tella.

Also, Professor Seun Omotayo, one of the architects of Damman Miracle said it was great that an all-Nigerian coaching crew led by Coach Yemi Tella prepared the team and managed them to attain such a great height. He said that the NFA should allow the coach and his assistants graduate with the team to the U20 level.

The team is expected to be received by President Umaru Yar'Adua today in Abuja.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua will on Saturday formally host a grand reception for the team.

The reception, which will kick off at 11a.m. will be held at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Members of the team are scheduled to arrive in the Federal Capital Territory in the morning of that day.

A statement from O.J. Abuah of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President (Communications), said that the Golden Eaglets would be received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by the Minister of the FCT, Dr Aliyu Modibbo Umar.

From the airport, the Eaglets will go on a victory parade through the major streets of the city before being received by the President at the Eagle Square.

The reception at the square will be open to all members of the public.

It will be followed later in the evening by a gala night in honour of the Eaglets at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

President Yar'Adua is expected to announce a package of rewards for the Eaglets at the gala
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