Flying Eagles head coach, Isah Ladan Bosso opens up on how he defied suggestions that asking him to snub Benjamin Frederick from his 2023 AFCON U-20 tournament; npflupdates.com reports.
Bosso was in charge of the Flying Eagles team that achieved a podium finish(a bronze medal) in Egypt last year.
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According to the experienced tactician, he scouted Benjamin Frederick during a tournament played in Abuja few years ago. Then, he was still a player contracted with Simoiben Academy, Kaduna state.
What Bosso said about Benjamin Frederick
“He was playing for a football academy in Kaduna called Simoiben Football Academy owned by the wife of Nigeria international Moses Simon. They played a pre season tournament in Abuja which I watched and he was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament”,Bosso was quoted by Owngoal Nigeria.
According to the football gaffer, following Frederick’s performances at the tournament, he was moved to include him into his squad despite being only 17-year-old.
“I wasted no time in telling him that he will be a part of my U20 team. Someone told me he was dropped from the U17 team that I should be wary of him but I said I know what I saw and I need it in my team”, he stated further.
“In the build up to the WAFU tournament he was my third choice defender, but we couldn’t get his international passport sorted in time to be in the squad. His passport came very late but l insisted on taking him to the tournament,” Bosso continued
“Before the AFCON was when l saw his maturity. I remember dropping two foreign based defenders and three others from NPFL teams for his sake. Not understood back then but now I guess they do.”
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Highlighting on the qualities that prompted him to have faith in the then 17 year old.
“Strong on the ball, quick in recovery and can pick a long pass with ease. He is very comfortable on the ball and very assured in tackles. His aerial ability is one part of his game that l admired the post and he has a winning mentality, hates to lose even in training”, he concluded.
Frederick last week penned a long term contract with Brentford following a successful season-long loan at the club.
