Lagos, Nigeria – Wetin we go do na? The Flying Eagles don pack dem bags, dey head go Chile again after almost 35 years since dem last try, and for we paddy, that na sweet matter! Dem dey go fight for di FIFA U-20 World Cup wey dem never carry before. No be say dem no try before, but Chile gree give dem wahala in 1987.
If you sabi di story, as dem enter di tournament, everybody dey expect say Nigeria go collect di trophy sharp-sharp. But nah, dem waka go face Brazil and lost like say dem no see road again. Na so disappointments enter di matter. Dem fit shout ‘we get stars’ but sometimes stars go dey shine as dem suppose shine.
Fast-forward to now, dem don shake off di bad memories and dey plan to do am right this time around. After dem no make am past South Africa for U20 Africa Cup of Nations, dem don gather dem strength again. Recent friendly matches don show say dem fit still deliver. Dem collect 1-1 draw from Chile and even beat Australia 3-1! Na when dem dey campfire, dem dey shine pass.
Di players wey dey come back like Daniel Bameyi and Daniel Daga don bring plenty experience wey go help dem. Dis guys na veteran now, and dem no wan carry last for di group stage wey go feature teams like Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia. Na serious matter dem dey face o!
Chile na place wey carry many memories, both bitter and sweet. 1987 still dey pain many for body. E get some players wey dey shine for dem, but di squad still sharp-sharp fall hand. Even dem get talents like Etim Esin and Thompson Oliha, but e be like say dem no fit match-up with di big boys like Brazil.
But hold up! Looking forward to di match with Saudi Arabia fit ginger dem because Chile and di ‘Miracle of Dammam’ dey come to mind. Na that time dem dey comeback from 4-0 down against di Soviet Union, land for penalty shootout. Na sweet drama wey show say no matter how dem lose, dem fit still make am.
Naija no dey carry last for youth football, we don dey chop titles for U-17 level, but U-20? Na still one sharp pain wey dey remain for our body. Di Flying Eagles don make two finals before, but dem wan knock down di doors dis time. E no dey easy, but dem dey ready to fight for glory, no shaking.
Many of di players like Daniel Daga and Daniel Bameyi dey part of di small group of Naija players wey don see two U20 World Cups. Dem no wan just join di crowd; dem wan shine and carry di squad on dem shoulders. Na positive vibe we go carry enter dis tournament.
As Flying Eagles dey prepare to full ground for Chile, we dey watch as di excitement turn hot. Naija people dey believe say dis go be di year wey we go finally collect dat U-20 glory wey we don dey dream! Make we gather all di palm wine and support our boys make dem bring di world cup home.
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