By John Egbokhan reporting from Dubai
Former Super Eagles captain, Sunday Oliseh proved yet again why he was regarded as a born leader when he strolled into the Golden Eaglets locker room to counsel and pray for the budding youngsters after their 2-0 win over Uruguay on Saturday in Sharjah.

Speaking on the team’s impressive performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013, Oliseh who is on the Technical Study Group (TSG) said the players deserve commendation but warned them against complacency.

“Working with FIFA, you have made me very proud because of your playing style and overall conduct in this competition,” began Oliseh who cried like a baby when Super Eagles finished runners-up when Ghana-Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 African cup of Nations.”But be that as it may, I don’t want you to start counting because nobody remembers the team that comes second next day except the champions.”

Golden Eaglets in jubilant mood

Oliseh said the Golden Eaglets should not regard themselves as favourites yet to lift the trophy despite playing some of the best matches at this championship.

The former Ajax and Juventus midfielder said:” You don’t start counting until the battle is won and I want you to learn from a team like Brazil who are already out of the competition because they started counting before the job was done.”
The two-time World Cup star further warned the players against complacency even as he charged them to pay attention to instruction from ‘the most competent Under-17 coaching crew.’

”In my village, we were told that you cannot be dancing and be looking at your buttocks,” Oliseh said philosophically.” What that means is that you need to listen to your coaches because they are the ones that can look at your back while you are on the pitch playing.”

He later offered prayers asking God to bless their careers as well as all efforts towards the team’s success at the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013.