With a little more than two weeks before the start of the U-20 World Cup in Argentina, coach Ladan Bosso says he did a thorough job in scouting the foreign players he invited to bolster the Flying Eagles’ attack.
“As far as we're concerned, I think we've gotten the necessary support from the federation (NFF) and stakeholders that have been following the team,” he said in Abuja.
“What we're trying to do is to put the finishing touch to our preparations. What are the finish touches; Which is to try to blend the professionals (foreign-based) we've invited.
“Thank God, everything about the professionals has been positive. We've been able to Google and download and get the statistics of the appearances of the foreign players we have invited, in the last ten matches.
“So. if you're not a regular player in your team, you can't be here. All we are trying to do is to avoid the mistakes made by the Under-23.
“Because it's a grave mistake inviting players that you don't know their form. So, we have to take our corrections from there. And I think all things being equal, we are on the right way."
The coach revealed plans to play some Argentine clubs when the team lands in Argentina next week.
Previous international friendlies with Niger and Benin Republic were botched due to time constraints.
Bosso, however, said he regrets taking Genk forward Ahmed Abdullahi, who wasn't released promptly, to the CAF Under-20 Nations Cup.
It’s a mistake he would not want to repeat.
“He was one of the disappointments we had and I don't want to repeat such mistakes,” he said.
“Ahmed was the only player that joined us over there and from the look of things, his fitness level was very very low compared to the other players we took and that was the genesis of that his red card in the first match.
“And, of course, from the players we have invited, Ebenezer, a good player, could have been important to us but the club says they can only release him on the 15th and that is not good for us," Ladab Bosso concluded.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles who are two-time finalists at the U-20 level are grouped with Italy, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic in group D of the World Cup.
Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso, granted Abiola Shodiya an exclusive interview
