'We Are Very Sorry For The Loss' - Captain Tijani Apologizes To Nigerians And Makes One Vow

Golden Eaglets captain Samson Tijani has rued the 2-1 loss to Australia at the FIFA U17 World Cup and has promised that the team will return to winning ways when they face their next opponents on November 5 in the round of sixteen.

At minute 21, Peter Olawale equalised for the World Cup heavyweights with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area after Noah Botic had given the Australians the lead in the 13th minute, and the 1899 Hoffenheim striker scored what proved to the winning goal nine minutes into the second half to secure three points for the Joeys.

It was Nigeria's third defeat in their last 31 matches played at the FIFA U17 World Cup; Switzerland and Croatia are the other countries to have managed a win against the Golden Eaglets in the last ten years.

''We wanted to get a result but we could not find an equaliser, we really worked hard but it was hard luck,'' Samson Tijani told reporters post-match, including allnigeriasoccer.com.

''We thank God for being injury free and I'll say we are very sorry for the loss and I promise by the next game we are going to make them happy and proud.''

The Golden Eaglets have reached the final of each of the last four FIFA U17 World Cups they have played, winning three in 2007, 2013 and 2015.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel