A reception worthy of heroes was accorded players and officials of the Golden Eaglets, as they returned to the country on Wednesday following a successful campaign at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.
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The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke–led squad touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard Emirates Airline flight EK 785 from Dubai. The team had stayed the night in Dubai on Tuesday after flying from Santiago the previous day.
A cultural troupe entertained just outside the arrival hall and made it possible for several airport officials, travelers and fans to take photographs with the players and officials, as Captain Kelechi Nwakali held the glittering trophy aloft all the way.
Thereafter, players and officials were driven round some areas of the Federal Capital Territory in a motorcade before the convoy arrived at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
“The entire nation is proud of you. You have done a great thing to bring honour to this country, and Mr. President is very delighted. I also wish to convey to you the joy of the new Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports,” said the DG of the National Sport Commission Mallam Al Hassan Yakmut.
The new Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalong, later had dinner with the players at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
The Golden Eaglets will be decamped on Thursday, to reconvene for a presidential reception at a later date.