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Golden Eaglets’ left-full back dynamo, Matthew Edile, wants the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to secure the future of his teammates by keeping them together to mature into great players. He said that was the best way the country could maximise the potentials of the team he described as a family.

Edile, who is still relishing the golden moments he shared with his mates in their glorious outing in South Korea, where they won the FIFA World Under-17 Championship the third time for Nigeria, said he and his teammates were determined to serve the country.

He spoke to Saturday Sunsport about his thoughts before he opened the floodgate of goals that downed Spain in the final of the FIFA Under-17 Championship and on his proposed move to Premiership side, Manchester City.

"I would love the NFA to strive and keep our team together," Edile, also called ‘Potential’, pleaded with the football house. "Our team are just like one family. We have played together, eaten together, we also achieved that feat of winning the World Cup together.
"Everyone could see our chemistry when we played the home-based Super Eagles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos last year. Our performance in that outing showed that we were still together and would continue to be so for a long time to come.

"It is true that we, at the moment, are playing in different clubs both at home and overseas, but we are still together as one. We are in constant contact with one another, as we hope to mature and play for the Under-20 and from there move up to the Super Eagles. We can be a fantastic side if we remain together as a team."

He expressed hope that he and his teammates would any day play to the best of their abilities for the good of the country if given a bigger challenge.
"Any day we are invited to the Under-20 or the Super Eagles, we will go there and play our normal game. We will do our best to conquer the world once again to the glory of Nigeria our fatherland."
The Warri-born Edile recalled that it was the same patriotism that stood tall right in his minds on the day his team took Spain to the clearers to win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea. He noted that he had always been called upon to lead in penalty shootouts, and when the opportunity came, he counted it as a call to higher duty.

"Before that epic encounter in South Korea, officials of the NFA came to us. They talked and instilled that winning confidence in us. They told us to believe in ourselves and we took their advice.
"As I stepped out to take the first kick during the penalty shootouts, I told myself that I needed to do it for the team and for the glory of Nigeria.

"When I picked the ball, I kissed it. That’s my way of expressing appreciation to the round leather. And as a left footer standing before the keeper, I watched his position and composure and chose a spot. And without an iota of fear in my mind, I stepped forward and kicked the ball which hit the back of the net."

After watching his exploits at the global cadet championship, Premiership side, Manchester City, expressed strong interest in having him to guard their rear. And since then, intense negotiations have been on, but the lad said he was hungry for action.
"Since we returned from South Korea, I have been hungry for top flight action. Manchester City have been interested in my game, I have been there for trials, their facilities are good. They have good players and excellent coaches too. I hope to play for them or any other top side that might be interested in me.

"My dream is like that of any other young player who wants to excel in the game. I have to dream big, because God has commanded all men to dream and work towards their dreams. That’s why I want to play for a big club and from there move ahead."