Golden Eaglets: How Ready Are The Nigerian Cadets for 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup?

Nigeria’s U-17 national team coach, Manu Garba, says his ward)s are not yet ready for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals billed for Brazil later this month.

Garba stirred the hornets nest when he said his present squad is not likely to deliver the diadem in Brazil.

Winner of the global championship in Dubai, UAE in 2013, Garba pointed out that the UEFA/CAF International Tournament in Turkey proved an ideal opportunity for him to appraise the team.

This is what Manu Garba have to say about his wards... 25 days to the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Brazil.

- He said that the UEFA/CAF tournament was a perfect ground to test the players and the three games the team played gave the technical crew to see some errors in the team.

- Furthermore, he said that the loss against Senegal was avoidable having led 2-1 in the first half, before crumbling 2-4 to the same team at the end of 90mins.

- He added that Senegal that defeated Nigeria had 8 players that featured at the football event of the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco and the same team  travelled to France for another tournament before playing at the UEFA/CAF tournament in Turkey.

- In a nutshell, Senegal played three important international tournaments as they continue their preparations for the Brazil 2019 Under 17 World Cup.

- Still speaking, Coach Manu informed that the team will continue preparation with the training tour in Brazil with 30 players and everything working out fine, the team will leave on October 8.


- The training in Sao Paulo, Brazil will afford the team to access all the players before making decision on the final 21 players that will represent Nigeria at the 2019 Brazil FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

The Competition will start from 26 October until 17 November.