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ABUJA, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari on Friday urged the country's U-17 football team to strive for gold at the FIFA U-17 World Cup which opens in Chile on Saturday.
Buhari said he will follow progress of the Nigerian lads, also known as Golden Eaglets, through the tournament in Chile, with keen interest and high expectation that the players have the skills, dedication and determination required to make the West African country world champions at the youth level once again.
"The President assures the Golden Eaglets and their handlers of the full support of the federal government and all Nigerians as they strive to bring more sporting glory to their fatherland by outplaying all their opponents in Chile and winning the Under-17 World Cup for a record fifth time," a presidency statement said.
Nigeria will meet the USA, Croatia and hosts Chile at the group stage.
The African most populous nation has won the the title four times, including the inaugural edition in 1985 and the last tournament in 2013.
