adminABUJA. — The future looks bright for Nigerian football after the country’s young stars won the Fifa Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time, underlining their strength at youth level. The Eaglets romped to a convincing 3-0 victory over defending champions Mexico in Abu Dhabi on Friday, prompting praise from President Goodluck Jonathan and sending the football-mad country into raptures.
“They (the team) are the future of Nigerian football,” said coach Manu Garba, who was assistant coach when the team won the tournament in 2007.
Stand-out stars included Kelechi Iheanacho, who was named best player after scoring six goals, including four against Mexico in the group stages. Iheanacho, an intelligent, skilful player with a magical left foot, is said to have already attracted the eye of several of Europe’s top clubs, among them Arsenal. Skipper Musa Muhammed is also seen as an exciting prospect, having scored three goals from right-back position, while Dele Alampasu was named best goalkeeper in the competition.
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who steered the Super Eagles senior team to African Cup of Nations glory earlier this year, has tipped several players in the side to make the grade at the top level.
“I was impressed with (strikers) Isaac Success and (Taiwo) Awoniyi. They are young and will soon hit it big in this game,” he said.
“They have the qualities to earn their places in the senior team in the future.”
Keshi has a track record of nurturing home-grown talent rather than relying on big name foreign-based stars and made a point of selecting as many local players as possible during their successful Caf campaign.
True to form, he said he was not going to introduce the young players too soon, effectively ruling out the appearance of some of the under-17 side in his squad for Brazil, should the Super Eagles overcome Ethiopia on Saturday. Nigeria are 2-1 up from the first leg going in to the return fixture in the southern city of Calabar.
Instead, former Togo and Mali boss Keshi said he preferred the youngsters to rise through the ranks. — AFP.
Online Reporter