7th July, 2011
As the Flying Eagles intensify preparations for the forthcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled for Colombia from 29 July to 20 August in Faro, Portugal, Coach of the team John Obuh is growing grey hairs over the state of his key players.
P.M.Sports gathered that some of the Flying Eagles stars are currently clubless. They have been out of contract with their previous clubs for a period of six months, a development which does not augur well for a national team that are preparing for a major tourney.
The players concerned coincidentally, form the spine of the team who Nigeria is relying upon to do the nation proud at the biennial championships.
The players are Stanley Okoro popularly known as “Little Messiâ€, Aliyu Muhammed and Ramon Azeez, who captained the team to a victorious outing at the last Africa Youth Championship, AYC, in South Africa.
Reflecting on the matter, Obuh expressed displeasure. “It is not a good thing for three key members of my squad to be clubless now, especially at this moment when we need them to be at the top of their games. It is not good for the players and the team as a whole,’’ he stated.
Obuh, however said, it would not derail the team’s preparation and the overall objective, which is to surpass the achievement of Samson Siasia- led silver winning at the Holland 2007 WYC, by winning the elusive trophy for Nigeria.
—Bamidele Olowosagba