The Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE has generated great passion and enthusiasm, not only among the spectators, but also the players.

Nigeria’s outstanding No10 Kelechi Iheanacho put on a dazzling display of football here in UAE, scoring six goals and setting up a further seven en route to a fourth title for the west Africans. A playmaker and lethal finisher all rolled into one, his trademark goal celebrations had the Nigerian fans here in UAE on their feet from start to finish.

Former Super Eagles mid-fielder, Mutiu Adepoju, has advised home-based players invited to the national camp by Coach Stephen Keshi, to see the assignment as an opportunity to prove themselves.

Reports from Abuja, where the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN has camped about 74 athletes in preparations for the 2014 campaigns, indicated that progress is being made and athletics coaches have commended the federation for breaking a long standing practice of fire-brigade planning.

For the fourth time of asking on Asian soil, the Golden Eaglets yesterday sealed their place in FIFA U-17 World Cup history when they trashed Mexico 3-0 in the final of UAE 2013, to bring their title haul at this level of youth football to four.