Former Nigerian midfielder Friday Ekpo has advised that the rebuild of the national team should begin from the age grade teams.
In a chat with FL, Ekpo revealed that there is no clear path way to the national team from the U17, U20 and U23 and if the Country is to return to her glory days, then they need to follow the template of the past.
Ekpo also praised the impact of Nduka Ugbade and Ladan Bosso in youth development, claiming that the coaches are experienced enough to lead the U17 and U20 to AFCON success.
“If you watch Nigeria in the time past we have been building right from the grassroots and discovering players from various local teams and invite them for the U17, U20 and U23.
“But, I don’t know, we just went to sleep because we have players who can play and do this both from the Super Eagles to the Under 17.
“We have fallen down a little bit and now we are trying to wake up again, we are trying to see how we can get them back on track, and I thank God for Manu Garba (Ladan Bosso) and Nduka Ugbade they have been superb coaches for this under age competition and they have seen all they have coached and played in this level and know what it takes to bring out the best of players and groom them together.”
The retired midfielder also revealed that Senegal and Morocco’s recent footballing success was as a result of patience in age grade administration.
Ekpo pointed out that Nigeria change coaches too often and the lack of continuity has in turn affected the growth and development of the Nations football.
“Senegal and Morocco have been doing there home work gradually building and failing but they kept on building and now they are stable but we don’t do that here, we don’t keep the coaches for a long time, this and many other things we need to do in our own football. We need to keep our coaches and aid them to go round the country to select better players for the U17 and U20.”
