Following the dismal performance of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria at the ongoing FIFA U20 world cup in Poland, former handler of the team, John Obuh has given his own experience as well as advice to any coach given the chance to tinker the team, irrespective of whether coach Paul Aigbogun continues as manager or not.
Nigerians have slammed Paul Aigbogun’s boys for their early exit from the competition after one win in four matches.
The team were eliminated from the FIFA U20 World Cup on Monday night as Success Makanjuola’s 50th minute goal proved to be mere consolation after Amadou Sagna and Niane had shot fellow African flag-bearers Senegal two goals up before half time in the Round of 16 in Lodz.
Football fans and enthusiasts have continued to question the players’ technical abilities and also the coach’s football knowledge in the wake of the disappointing exit.
Speaking with Brila, Obuh offered some insight as to what truly can be done by managers and coaches at the youth team level, especially U20, in trying to build a crack squad for major tournaments.
“In Nigeria, the more you screen the more you see more players, and so what you do if you are a coach appointed to that position is that you screen with some certain planned level for yourself and then concentrate on coaching”.
“What you have most times is that you see them, three weeks to the tournament, they do not have a team, you go to their screening centre and you find many players as possible, still passing through screening”.
“I think the best you have to do is to start your screening on time, then at a point, you look at 50 people and then you start coaching …At a point you reduce them to 30 and then you concentrate on those 30. Anytime you play a friendly and then you find out there is someone better, you remove from the 30 and then you add”.
“When the tournament proper starts, you are very sure of 30 new players that are on ground….From there you then prosecute your tournament”.
