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Youth development key to Eagles resurgence

By Daily Sports on June 21, 2016

Failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the second straight time meant a lot of questions arose as to why Nigeria, with so much talent, cannot even get to party at Africa’s premier football competition.

Consequently, the arithmetic didn’t sound right when the successes of the age grade teams were thrown into the mix.

The Golden Eaglets (U17’s) and the Flying Eagles (U20’s) have been doing relatively well on the global stage but the expected transmission to the full senior side hasn’t yielded many dividends.

Egypt beat Nigeria to the sole ticket for Afcon 2017 in a group that also had Tanzania, and Chad (who later withdrew) from the qualifiers.

With the 2018 World Cup qualifiers looming in the horizon and the Nigeria Football Federation yet to name a coach, the landmark down the right isn’t quite visible as such.

Despite the perceived setbacks Mallam Farouk Yarma, CEO of Nigeria National League side Yarmalight of Gombe insists all hope is not lost, but the system and mindset have to change.

“We lack patience with the system and we also have the ‘pull him down’ syndrome associated with our failure. This doesn’t bode well,”he told supersport.com.

“Until we have a good U17 and U20 and we shouldn't be desperate in winning trophies.We also should take cadet game as developmental avenue that will feed the Super Eagles.”he added.

Flying Eagles coach Emmanuel Amuneke believes with the right system in place and appropriate developmental approach, the Super Eagles will be back on track.

“I’m happy that we are gradually seeing our efforts pay off because today we are seeing the likes of Iheanacho, Musa Mohammed coming to the Super Eagles.

“Also the likes of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze looking forward to being part of the team at the top level so it’s good for our football.

“We must encourage people that are doing this job.This is the category that we have to get right and I believe if we get this category right then the Super Eagles will be much better.

With the Olympic Games and World Cup qualifiers coming up soon, it will be left to seen how the integration will take place and if Nigeria fans will have something to smile about.

•Text from Supersports.com. Photo shows Super Ealges of Nigeria

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 21, 2016