4th October, 2013
Pablo Coira, a member of the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup-winning team hosted by Nigeria, has tipped the Golden Eaglets for success at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.
Now working with legendary Michael Salgado at the Spanish Coaching Centre in Dubai, Coira watched the last moments of the Eaglets training on Wednesday at the practice pitch of the Dubai Higher Colleges of Technology and even wished the team success.
“I’m sentimentally attached to Nigeria since when we won the U-20 World Cup in 1999 and I was part of the team,” said the defender who played along with striker Pablo Couñago, the competition’s top scorer as well as Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas and Xavi of Barcelona.
The 34-year-old Coira said there was nothing as sweet as winning the World Cup at any level and has pledged his support to the Eaglets since Spanish youngsters failed to qualify for the 15th edition of the U-17 championship.
“I hope you guys would be able to win the World Cup here; for me; it has to be Nigeria and I wished you all the best.”
The Eaglets have caught the admiration of many football fans here on a daily basis. A Chinese couple who are lecturers at the Dubai Higher Colleges of Technology brought their kid in tow during one of the team’s sessions.
“It is nice to see you guys here and we wish you well during your competition,” they chorused.
The story is not different at the team’s Al-Jawhara Hotel camp where fans and lodgers expressively requested for photo session. Of particular mention is that of Mr. Sanusi Ibrahim Tunde, Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area in Lagos who was excited like a kid on meeting the Nigeria’s hope bearers at their camp.
“I must take picture with you guys, “he said as the camera clicked away.”I’m happy to see you people and wish you well at the Under-17 World Cup.”
Meanwhile, the anticipated match between the Eaglets and the American University in Dubai slated for Saturday has been postponed till next week.