Buhari to honour pledge made to 1985 Eaglets that was jettisoned after his overthrow

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has offered to honour a pledge he made to the Golden Eaglets 30 years ago when they won the inaugural edition of the U17 World Cup which has yet to be delivered upon.

 

Known then as the Super Eaglets, Nigeria's U17 won the first ever World Cup hosted in China in 1985, beating West Germany 2-0 in the final. At the time, then, General Buhari was the head of state and hosted them to a state house reception where he made pledges to the team but in August that year, his government was overthrown before he could deliver on the promise.

 

In Sunday, Nigeria won her fifth U17 World Cup, beating Mali 2-0 in the final of the 16th edition of the tournament played in Chile. President Buhari is preparing the host the team, who expected to arrive in Abuja tomorrow, during which he is planning to honour both them and the 1985 team.

 

Presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, said President Buhari pointed out that it had been brought to his attention that a directive which he gave to the state governments at the time had not been complied with. He was said to have made the promises during a reception held in honour of the players at Dodan Barracks, Lagos, in celebration of their outstanding victory.

 

Mallam Garba said: “President Buhari said it is a pity that those promises were never fulfilled. It is unfortunate that our players, who did us proud on the world stage, went unrewarded for their efforts, despite a presidential directive to the state administrators that they be honoured in their home states.”

 

According to Mallam Garba, of the various promises made to the players at the time, only the federal government fulfilled its own commitment by sponsoring the players on a trip to watch the 1986 World Cup, which took place in Mexico. He added that the promises of houses, scholarships and naming of streets after each player were supposed to have been catered for by the states.

 

President Buhari said: “I apologise for whatever embarrassment and disillusionment in your country these raised and then dashed hopes may have caused you. My government will do all within its power to remedy the situation.”

 

Despite repeated representations made to succeeding governments by the players and their officials, after General Buhari was overthrown in 1985, the promises made were left unfulfilled. It is not yet clear what goodies the government will offer the current team upon their return from Chile.