By Sedara Philip
The former Coach of Sunshine Stars of Akure and Founder of H&B Sports Henry Abiodun has urged Nigeria football federation to start early preparations for Flying Eagles of Nigeria to avoid failure at the U-20 World Cup.
He said while other participating nations have started preparations, Flying Eagles are yet to be camp or start preparations.
“It’s no longer a news that the Nigeria under 20 national team (boys) qualified to play in the world cup (the U 20 world cup is in few weeks)”.
” I am very positive other countries that picked up the tickets to represent their continents and nations are in top gear and at the highest preparator period of the final phase to the Under 20 World Cup”.
“Majority of these nations are either in a close camp, playing tours or international friendly competitions”
“The Senegalese team (one of the nations we like to refer to as, small Country) that won the AFCON gold medal only went on a week break and are since, back in camp, ready to go.
I stand to be corrected, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria are yet to kick start “preparations”. Failure to prepare someone said, is preparing to fail…God forbid”.
“Professionally speaking, the preparations to WAFU was shabby, to the AFCON was also shabby. The NFF cannot afford to shabbily prepare for a major tournament like the Under 20 World Cup and expect the team to perform wonders”
“This is the time for the Flying Eagles coach to perfectly establish playing philosophy, the time for all invited players (home and abroad) to develop solid synergy and coordination”
” If our team must have an “identity” playing in the forthcoming under 20 World Cup, the boys will definitely need enough time training/working together and build team chemistry”
“The team also need to perfect tactics and strategies amongst other prerequisites if we must present a quality side on the global stage”.
“Above all, it is necessary for the Flying Eagles players to “adapt” to relevant competitive environment and opposition before the world cup proper. They need more playing experience and therefore MUST go on playing tours to become well exposed to international matches”.
“Sincerely, In terms of preparations, our Flying Eagles are already behind, however, the NFF can take a bold step by swinging into action immediately (make good investments in the right direction) and safe the team, coaches and Country from unnecessary global embarrassments”.
