Former Super Eagles coach, Austin Egueavoen , has expressed his dissatisfaction over the calibre of players recruited into the Flying Eagles team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles are in Argentina for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. And they share the same group with Dominican Republic, Italy and five-time champions Brazil.
The team was assembled by tactician, Ladan Bosso. And it comprises of players mostly playing in football academies across the nation. Only just few are already playing professional football in clubs.
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What Egueavoen Said About Flying Eagles’ Players For The FIFA U-20 W’Cup
“For me, I am not too comfortable with under-20 players still playing for academies I’m not too comfortable with that. But be that as it may, there are not many teams in the country anymore, due to whatever I don’t know,” Egueavoen was quoted by FootballLive .
According to the former Super Eagles defender, things have changed. And he reminisced at the calibre of players that make-up the Flying Eagles in his active days.
“I remember playing for the Flying Eagles, then I was playing for Insurance ACB. Siasia, Diepriyie and co were in Julius Berger. We playing in the Flying Eagles, we were already playing in teams. You cannot be playing in the under 20 and still be playing in academies, it is not acceptable.”
“Like I said, yes, we don’t have enough teams. But I think these players should be playing in premiership teams, worst-case scenario, NNL and then they can have serious match fitness, and week-in-week-out they have competitive tournaments to compete in.
“Be that as it may, Bosso has confidence in the team. And I think we have a very good chance. But the first game in every tournament is key, and once you cross that first hurdle, I think going into the next two other games, you’ll go in with very high confidence.”
Nigeria will kickstart their tournament against Dominican Republic on sunday 21 May.
And on Tuesday, 24 May, the national team will take on Italy. The team will then finally lock horns with perennial rival Brazil on last group fixture on 27 May.
In as much as the coach believe in his players they could go all the way or at least make a meaningful impact.
What is he talking about – was he not the one that failed in the AFCON when it was obvious he is tactically inept. Not to talk of his failure to take Eagles to the Works cup