U-20s ripe enough for Super Eagles?

Nigeria is yet to win the U-20 World Cup trophy. The closest the country came to winning the coveted trophy was in 1989 when the Coach Tunde Disu led team lost 0-1 in that year’s finals to a Luis Figo inspired Portugal. Nigeria had won bronze in 1985 in Moscow. Although they could not live […]

Nigeria is yet to win the U-20 World Cup trophy. The closest the country came to winning the coveted trophy was in 1989 when the Coach Tunde Disu led team lost 0-1 in that year’s finals to a Luis Figo inspired Portugal. Nigeria had won bronze in 1985 in Moscow.

Although they could not live up to the expectations of most Nigerian football fans, the Colombia 2011 were not a total disappointment as some members of the team clearly distinguished themselves in the five matches the team played.

It is now an open secret that Ahmed Musa who is already a member of the senior national team shone like a million stars with his dazzling runs. He was a delight to watch on the wings and is already a target of some of the leading clubs in Europe. It is said the team’s captain, Azeez Ramon also knitted the mid-field and justified while he is on the shopping list of some of the European clubs. Asec Mimosa of Cote’dvoire striker, Olarewanju Kayode proved that he has come of age as far as the business of goal scoring is concerned. Goalkeeper Dami Paul proved that what he lacks in height and size, he has got in self confidence and courage especially when faced with daredevil strikers.

Apart from these four players, other members of the team like Terna Suswam, Abdul Ajagun, Edafe Egbedi, Uche Nwafor, Bright Ejike, and Emmanuel Sani also showed great promises. It was for this reason that moments after they crashed out of the championship, Super Eagles chief coach, Samson Siasia said he had identified some talents in the team and would at the appropriate time invite some of the players to the Super Eagles.

Siasia’s declaration has since elicited reactions from football experts who told Feverpitch in separate interviews that the players showed promises but should not be rushed into the senior national team. Former Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu said the players gave a good account of themselves. He also stated that by playing in the junior World Cup, they have got the requisite exposure and experience to play for the senior team. Chukwu however said such identified players should be brought into the team only when necessary.

“ I watched the players and I can say that most of them are good. Now they have got the required experience and can play for the Super Eagles. It is only the coach that knows what he needs at the moment. If he has need in a position and feels one of the players can fit into such role, he can then invite the player of his choice.

“It is not an issue of inviting so many players from the squad for the sake of it. If for instance the goalkeepers are not living up to his expectations and he feels, Dami Paul did very well in Colombia and should be given a chance, it is for the coach to decide.

“ If Super Eagles strikers are found wanting and the coach feels those strikers who scored over a dozen goals in Colombia can give him goals, he will then look at the U-20 strikers and decide which among them he wants to pick”.

Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Joe Erico also toed the same line with Chukwu when he said it all depends on what Siasia wants to do with the Flying Eagles. He said coaches don’t think the same as what he wants may not be the same with other coaches.

“It all depends on the coach. He knows what he wants to get. We coaches don’t think the same way. Some of them gave a good account of themselves but they would fit into the senior national team later not now. They would get better with time. My fear is the age of the players. It is only when you get close to them that you can speak more on this topic.

“However, this is not to say if there is any among them that deserves to be given a chance, he should be kept waiting unnecessarily. Even in the German Bundesliga, you now find 19 year old players playing. The game is now for young boys who have a lot of stamina and energy.

“The coach should look at the grey areas and decide when to bring in some of the players. Ahmed Musa showed his abilities. He and few others can be given more opportunities”.

Former international Aniete Ukoh said apart from Ahmed Musa and Ramon Azeez, he did not see any other player who can fit into the Super Eagles at this very moment. He said most of the players are good but need more time to mature.

“In my candid opinion, apart from Ahmed Musa, who is already a member of the Super Eagles, and the team captain Ramon Azeez, I do not think the rest of the players are ripe enough for the senior national team.

“In future yes, but now, no!. However, coach Siasia has the final say as far as team selection is concerned. He knows what he wants to achieve and the players he wants to bring into the team”.