The Eaglets lost their Golden touches and were bundled out by Aboubacar Camara’s clinical brace as Burkina Faso advanced to the semifinals of the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup and automatically qualified for FIFA U-17 world cup.
The Nigeria team is no doubt blessed with individual talents but in modern day football reality, talent is not always enough. For a team to thrive and compete effectively at the highest level you need a compact team with the right blend of talents and tactical skills.
Nigeria has never been found wanting when it comes to talented footballers, we have them in abundance but how to shape and mold these rookies’ sophisticated with raw talents into a productive and more efficient player has been the greatest bane.
The team with the highest number of talented players doesn’t always win football competition anymore; rather , the most prepared team with the right blend of techniques and tactical prowess carries the day.
How can a team be heading for a major international competition without engaging in quality good friendly matches other than playing against Boys’ clubs and “Parapo teams”?
Preparing for a major tournament with a tune-up match against relatively unknown Academy teams is a complete waste of time and resources as such results, mostly in favour of the National Team, always turned out to be an exercise in futility.
The Golden Eaglets were supposed to travel to Germany for camping before the tournament but for cumulative reasons the arrangements did not materialize. The same scenario applies with Flying Eagles; from Abuja to Argentina and we’re hoping to win the trophy?
Our U-20 team is in the most difficult group alongside Italy and Brazil. The weakling team of the group, Dominican Republic, have been in Spain for over a month, same with Italy and Brazil who camped in different countries to put finishing touches to their preparations. Once again, seems the Nigeria team would be banking on individual skills and talent this time around in Bueno Aires.. Meanwhile, the era of bullying other Nations with talents and turning blind eyes to investing in structures and facilities has long passed. Countries like Senegal, Morocco are modern examples of how National teams are structured, there is no shortcut to success anymore. Nigeria need to build on institution and developmental programs. Our grassroots policy must be revisited and if anything, overhauled. Fire brigade approach of inviting 100 players to open camp (is the camp truly open?) for screening while the tournament beckons has become obsolete.
The Golden Eaglets’ hopes of a 13th qualification to the global showpiece and the hunt for a record extending third African title has hit the brick wall. Nigeria, the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, with five titles and three runners up, will now watch from television sets when other countries are parading their young talents at the FIFA cadet competition coming up later in the year.
Time takes care of everything and we are in a country with a short attention span. The other one will wear off.
Can this wear off?
