26th July, 2011
Former Nigerian international, Henry Nwosu and ex coach of the U-20 team, Tunde Disu, have advised Flying Eagles’ handler, John Obuh, to make necessary amendment in his team before the commencement of the FIFA U-20 World Youth Championship slated for Colombia.
Nwosu said the just concluded Four-Nation Tournament in Panama has helped the team discover their weaknesses. The team conceded six goals in three matches in the tourney.
He advised Obuh not to let the outcome of the Panama tournament weigh him down in his quest to conquer the world at the World Youth Championship, WYC, but perfect his tactics and reinforce his strikers to score more goals.
Nwosu was a gifted midfielder and the youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 African Nations Cup squad. He scored the only goal for Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics. He also played in the 1982, 1984 and 1988 tournaments, finishing runners up in the latter two, with his last game for Nigeria coming in 1991.
Meanwhile, two times Flying Eagles’ coach, Tunde Disu, believes only tough mentality could gear the current Flying Eagles to victory at the WYC, which starts on Friday in Colombia.
Disu said the team should embrace the mentality of African champions at the youth tournament.
‘‘The team should play with tough mentality to succeed at the World Youth Championship. Most of these boys have been together since 2009 during FIFA U- 17 World Cup in Nigeria and their coaches know the potential of each player. The players should play at the global stage as African champions,’’ he said.
He advised Obuh to work harder on the team, saying the major problems of the team lie in their attack and defence, as were noticed at the just concluded Four-Nation Championship in Panama.
—Olusegun Abidoye