Before the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup kicked off last week, Saturday Vanguard Sports interviewed Nduka Ugbade, the first captain in the world to lift the U-17 (then it was called U-16) trophy when the Nigerian team beat Germany to become the first winners. He spoke on sundry issues including warning that Germany was not going to be easy for the Golden Eaglets (which turned out so), how some people stopped him from making football history, his new move to train grass-root coaches scientifically as well as produce World Cup players for the country.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup tagged Nigeria 2009 has been plagued by scandals from inception when a bogus budget of N35 billion was presented to a shocked Federal Government which initially subsequently announced its withdrawal altogether.

Coach Franklin Howard has said that the Eaglets would give their best in the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup if Nigerians could put less pressure on the team.

Scandals, scandals and more scandals appear to be the hallmark of the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup taking place in eight centers in Nigeria.

Golden Eaglets coach, John Obuh has staved off criticisms surrounding his side’s unconvincing display so far at the Abuja centre of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.