The Nigeria Football Federation NFF, opens up on the nature and age of prospective Golden Eaglets (men’s U-17) players currently in Abuja camp; npflupdates.com reports.
The Nigeria Football Federation NFF, in a recent publication by the PUNCH Nigeria; revealed that no player over the age 17-years will play in the age-grade football.
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According to the NFF media officer, Francis Achi, prospective Golden Eaglets players are subjected to a mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test. And by that way the real age of the players will be determined.
Golden Eaglets to conduct mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test
“NFF is very serious about selecting players within the age bracket, not only to ensure that many of the selected players come true to ranks but also to avoid previous situations whereby teams got severely depleted after players who had passed the screening exercise were dropped after failing the MRI test,” Achi told PUNCH Sports Extra on Sunday.
“To this end, every player scouted is mandated to have an MRI scan at designated hospitals approved by the NFF. After that has been done and the player has passed Grades 1–4, he can be allowed to join up with the rest of the team. Even NFF is not accepting Grade 5 because the player will exceed the required age before the FIFA U17 World Cup,” he added.
In another story, former Flying Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia accuse the NFF for neglecting age-grade footballers.
According to Siasia, sometimes he uses his money to buy some basic things for the players. And by that way, it serves as a motivation to the players.
“We were in hell. I tell you right from Nigeria, trust me. The easiest team to coach is the Super Eagles because they will give you everything that you need. But U20, even Under 16 is the worst, you don’t see food.
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“So these are the areas I’m special the way it comes to taking care of the players. I spend my own money to make sure these boys are okay.
“I buy them toothpaste, brush or we travel out, give them $100 from my own pocket. Do you think they are there for Nigeria? No, they are playing for me,” Siasia was quoted by Daily Post Nigeria.
