Loss of U-17 World Cup gold medal saddens ex-Golden Eaglets defender

By Tosin Omojola

Former Golden Eaglets defender Kingsley Udoh is grieving the loss of his FIFA U-17 World Cup gold medal, a symbol he believes could have provided comfort amid his current struggles.

Now 33, Udoh was a vital player in Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets squad that triumphed at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. After the victory, he returned home proudly with his gold medal, which his late father safeguarded.

During an interview on Brila FM on Wednesday, Udoh shared his distress over the medal’s disappearance following his father’s passing.

He explained that its absence is just one hardship in a series of challenges, as he currently struggles to support himself financially and lacks the funds to pursue a coaching course—a step he hoped to take to progress his career in football.

“I can’t find my U-17 FIFA World Cup gold medal. My father was in charge of it, and since he passed, I haven’t seen it. Things are tough—I’m struggling to feed myself and can’t afford the coaching course I wanted to attend,” lamented Udoh, who made a name for himself in Nigeria’s domestic league with commendable performances for Akwa United, Heartland, Kano Pillars, and Sunshine Stars.

In addition to his U-17 World Cup success, Udoh was a key player in the Flying Eagles squad that won the African U-17 Championship in 2007, which qualified them for the global tournament in Asia.