Ifeanyi Eduzor
Following the crashing out of the Flying Eagles in the semi- finals of this year’s African Youth Championship, former U-20 handler and one -time Technical Director of Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, Tunde Disu (OFR) has called for the total overhaul of the team before the FIFA U-20 World Cup slated for Poland later in the year.
The Coach Paul Aigbogun -led side on Wednesday at the Stade General Seyni Kouche, Niamey, Niger Republic, lost 3-4, by penalties, to Mali in one of the semi- finals of the competition. The team, had, however, booked a place for the World Cup, as one of the best four teams in the tournament.
Reviewing the performance of the team, the veteran coach expressed surprise that they played without cohesion, with no creative midfielder and point man that could have troubled the Malian defence. He warned that unless the team is overhauled, Nigeria will have a dismal performance at the World Cup.
“It’s regrettable that a team like the Flying Eagles played without coordination nor any creative midfielder and strong attacker, who could trouble their opponents,” Disu, who was made popular by his Dammam miracle exploits at the Saudi 89 World Youth Championship, said.
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“Aigbogun must be blamed for fielding a weak team at the tournament. I was not surprised at their defeat because this was a team that could only score three goals enroute to the semi- finals, which is an indication that something is lacking in the team,” he stressed..
Disu who is presently the Executive Secretary of Lagos Junior League, was emphatic that unless there is a total overhaul of the team, they will be going to Poland to make up the numbers.
“There is need for the technical crew to do the needful and beef up the team because there are many players there, who have no business being in that team.
“They should realise that World Cup is not a tea party because all the countries come with their best players and Nigeria should not be an exemption,” he stated.
He advised the coaching crew against limiting their searchlight only to those playing at the elite league, noting that as an age grade competition, they can also extend their search for quality players to the grassroots where good players abound.
