There is indeed truism in the  assertion  that ‘everyone loves a winner’ as the triumphant Golden Eaglets were treated to a  standing ovation  aboard Emirates Airlines on their return trip to Nigeria after Chile 2015  conquest.

Travelling on  Boeing 777  Flight 248 from Santiago to Dubai, the pilot after the usual protocol over public announcement system added matter-of- factly: “We are happy to have on board members of the Nigerian U-17 National Team that was just crowned as the  world championsafter they beat Mali 2-0 in the final  on Sunday.”

Eaglets Captain Kelechi Nwakali (m) and his team mate on arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja… on Wednesday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

The announcement was followed with loud clapping and screaming by almost 300   passengers of different  nationalities  aboard the big bird piloted by the duo of Captain  Luciano  and Captain Asredew, with two co-pilots Flying Officers Oliver and Arif.

“It is a great feeling to be  world champions,” noted Funsho Bamgboye who scored Golden Eaglets second goal in the 2-0 defeat of Mali in the Final Match  on Sunday  in Vina Del Mar. “I’m happy that I have represented my country, state and family well and we can see that this has made a lot of people happy too.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja onWednesday afternoon.