Triumphant Golden Eaglets Arrive Nigeria – Live Updates

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, winners of the recently concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup, have arrived Nigeria with the trophy.

The jubilant Eaglets landed at the Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport before hurrying off to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, where a presidential banquet is prepared for them.

Waiting Supporter’s Club members and reporters who had waited to cheer the lads, were unable to get across to the new world champions in Lagos. This did not go down well with the fans in Lagos.

We will be updating this post as the reception planned for the champions unfolds.

Update 1:

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the national dance troupe, dressed in traditional Tiv [Benue state] white and black, are doing the popular Swange dance as fans await the arrival of the world champions.

Staff of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation on ground too. A team from the corporation is led by a Godstime Okorobia.

“We are here to welcome the Golden eaglets, who are proud ambassadors of tourism, the DG, the board, staff and management congratulate the Golden Eaglets, the president, and Nigerians for this wonderful feat executed by them. Indeed they are champions of Africa and the world” — Godstime Okorobia.

Update 2

Director General of the National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye; Senate committee chairman on sport, Ali Gumba and chairman, House of Reps committee on sports, Godfrey Gaiya are also at the Abuja airport to welcome the world champions.

Update 3

23:37, An Arik Air jet carrying the Eaglets from Lagos taxied to a stop at the Abuja airport. In addition to the dance troupe, officials of the National Sport Commission and Nigeria Football Federation, cheered as the plane came to a halt on the tarmac.

Minutes later, the sports minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, and the teams captain emerged from the plane with the trophy, before other players followed.

23:58 “We are now the number 1 in the world, according to the U-17, to God be the glory,” says Chief Coach Garba Manu.

Security around the reception is really tight as the players are decorated with garlands provided by the National Sports Commission. The players are beaming with smiles.

00:23 It was a very brief reception. The boys are aboard a bus provided by the NFF and are heading to the city centre.

Updates will continue as events continue Sunday.