What next for Golden Eaglets after UAE 2013?

Golden Eaglets
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With the conclusion of the UAE 2013 U-17 World Cup, observers wonder what will become of the Golden Eaglets following their impressive performance at the competition. KAZEEM BUSARI examines the progress made by some former Golden Eaglets players

Nigeria’s joy reached the climax at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on Friday following the Golden Eaglets record fourth win after beating Mexico to lift the coveted trophy. It was a competition Nigeria were seen as favourites right after their first group game against Mexico, which ended 6-1, but the most important thing was that quite a number of talented players were revealed in the tournament.

It was not the first time Nigeria would parade gifted players at the U-17 World Cup, in fact, when Nigeria won the first edition of the competition in 1985 many pundits, including Brazil’s Pele, believed Nigeria would win the senior World Cup in no distant future. They were placing their hope on Nigeria’s consistency in producing talented players that would eventually play at the senior World Cup. But their hopes have been dashed several times over due to the taunted development in the players’ career.

Despite the abundant talent and the success at the junior level, Nigeria have yet to make their mark at the senior World Cup. The best outings they have had were two second round qualifications at the World Cup finals.

Nigeria are currently the most successful side at the Under-17 level, winning the World Cup four times and finishing second thrice. The team have featured in 10 of the 15 editions, with two quarter-final finish (1989, 1995), and only failing to emerge from the group stage once (2003).

Since 1985, only 19 players who have played the Under-17 World Cup finals have so far played in the senior World Cup matches (either qualifying or finals).

Only four players – Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (2003), Mikel Obi (2003), Lukman Haruna (2007) and Kenneth Omeruo 2009 – have played World Cup matches (qualifying or finals) at the U-17, U-20 and the senior levels.

The others who have played the Under-17 World Cup finals and the senior World Cup (qualifying or finals) are Nduka Ugbade (1985), Jonathan Akpoborie (1985), Christopher Nwosu (1987),  Godwin Okpara (1989), Benedict Akwuegbu (1989), Victor Ikpeba (1989), Mobi Oparaku (1993), Celestine Babayaro (1993), Pascal Ojigwe (1993), Nwankwo Kanu (1993), Wilson Oruma (1993), James Obiorah (1995), Henry Onwuzuruike (1995), Femi Opabunmi (2001) and Ogenyi Onazi (2009).

According to some former junior internationals, the problem before the Golden Eaglets and the Nigeria Football Federation is the lack of continuity in the football development programme of the nation.

To them, players at the Under-17 level are made irrelevant each time the coaches in the senior teams look elsewhere to select players for competitions.

A member of the 1985 winning team, Imama Amapakabor, said his squad was a victim of such neglect after winning the maiden edition of the tournament in Beijing, China.

“The fear I have for the team is the lack of continuity in our football programmes. While we all expect them to graduate to the Under-20 and Under-23 teams and later to the Super Eagles, a new coach appointed to the Under-20 team may not want to use them because he might be thinking any success he achieves will be credited to the Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba who brought the boys to the limelight,” Amapakabor said.

“Most of the players that featured for Nigeria at the Under-17 World Cup in 2009 were able to graduate to the Under-20 in 2011 because it was the same coach, John Obuh, who tutored them.

“From my findings, this current team took the coaching crew a very long time to assemble. 

They had to comb the whole country to unearth the players. This is similar to what Sebastian Broderick did before producing our team in 1985 and we were not appreciated because we were not given the opportunity to play in the senior teams. Christopher Udemezue was the Under-20 team coach in 1987 but he preferred to use only a few members of our team.”

Garba, perhaps in his impatience to see his wards play at the senior level, had called on the coach of the senior team Stephen Keshi to consider featuring Golden Eaglets players in the Super Eagles in order to sharpen their skills, but Amapakabor said the Golden Eaglets coach got it wrong with his request.

“If Manu Garba is requesting Keshi to feature the Golden Eaglets players in the Super Eagles squad then he is coming from a different school of thought. No Under-17 player can play in our senior team; the level of experience and the challenge therein will be overwhelming for the youngsters. Manu should advocate a gradual progression for the team,” he said.

Former Golden Eaglets coach, Henry Nwosu, who played at the Under-20 and the senior team, said Garba’s call was unnecessary. He said the players’ quality would stand them out when the chips are down.

“These are very young boys; they should be able to play for about two more years before thinking of joining the Super Eagles. They have age on their side, and they are very talented players,” Nwosu said.

“I knew some of them right from when they were in the Under-13 national team; I can confirm that they are young. I expect them to go far in football, as long as they don’t have injuries, because they are not overage.

“Coach John Obuh was able to use most of the players he tutored at the 2009 U-17 World Cup two years later at the U-20 World Cup because he was permitted to move on with the team. In the last couple of years, we have seen that there’s progression from the junior teams to the senior teams.

“I don’t think having new coaches for the Under-20 and Under-23 teams will deny these players of the systemic progression we’re talking about. No coach will see a good player and throw him away. What will likely happen is that the coach will invite new players to compete for roles alongside these young ones. If these boys outshine the new players he’s bringing in, he’ll have no choice but to use them for the Under-20 tournaments.

“Besides, he will not be the only one in charge of the team; he’ll have assistants that must have inputs. The technical department of the NFF will also watch his training and ask questions on why he’s using certain players and not these boys that have impressed at the Under-17 level.

“I’m happy with Stephen Keshi’s response to Manu Garba’s request. He said these boys are good players, but they are good for the Under-20 and Under-23 teams. But I think it’s too early for them to be in the Under-23 team; it’s important to let them progress gradually. There’s no need to rush the players into playing in the senior team at this stage.”

Another member of the 1985 set, Fatai Atere, believes the players’ target is beyond playing in the senior team.

He said, “The reality is that these boys are playing to sign big contracts in Europe to help themselves and their families; playing for the senior team is secondary. Our (football) system is driving them away, no good league, the administration is shaky and there is no money in soccer in Nigeria.  It’s a new age, people’s eyes are open, and nobody is playing for passion anymore.

“Maybe, just maybe, a few of them will graduate to the senior level.”