Odigie commences search for new Eaglets
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- Category: Sports
- Written by David Ngobua
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Newly appointed coach of Golden Eaglets, Coach Monday Odigie has commenced a nationwide search for talented players who will form the team that would represent Nigeria at the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Colombia.
Speaking to sports journalists yesterday in Abuja at the finals of this year’s Kenneth Imansuangbon football competition for secondary schools in the FCT, the coach said he has not been very visible but that is not to say he is resting on the challenge before him.
Odigie disclosed that he has been going round the country attending age grade competitions for the purpose of identifying players who are within the required age so that at the appropriate time he would bring them together for the necessary training.
He explained that in the process, he has been able to identify some gifted players but was quick to add that it is too early to speak at length about their quality.
The coach noted that if grassroots football competitions like the ones organized by the proprietor of Pacesetters Academy Abuja are encouraged, his job would be made easier because it is at such competitions that talented footballers can be identified and nurtured to represent the country.
“I have not been seen everywhere but that is not to say I am not doing anything. As you have seen me here, that is how I have been going round, visiting places where age grade competitions are organized for talent hunt. I have been able to identify few players even at this competition. At the right time, I will bring them together.
“I wish to commend the organizer of this competition. This is what we make our job easier. It is at this level that we can identify talented footballers. This is a welcome development and I urge the organizer to keep it up.
The coach however said what has remained a thing of paramount importance to him is the true age of the players who participate in such competitions.
He noted that when over aged players are allowed to participate as mercenaries; it makes nonsense of the good intention of the organizers.
Odigie therefore said even as he has already identified good players from some of the competitions he has attended, he will first have to dig deep into their backgrounds to be sure that they are within the age before they would be invited to camp.
“I have seen a lot of them but my major concern is to raise a true national U-17 team. I will have to probe into their background to ascertain their real ages.
Odigie said with the support of the relevant authorities, he would be able to raise a formidable team for the country.
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Odigie commences search for new Eaglets
Category: Sports Written by David Ngobua Hits: 632
Newly appointed coach of Golden Eaglets, Coach Monday Odigie has commenced a nationwide search for talented players who will form the team that would represent Nigeria at the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Colombia.
Speaking to sports journalists yesterday in Abuja at the finals of this year’s Kenneth Imansuangbon football competition for secondary schools in the FCT, the coach said he has not been very visible but that is not to say he is resting on the challenge before him.
Odigie disclosed that he has been going round the country attending age grade competitions for the purpose of identifying players who are within the required age so that at the appropriate time he would bring them together for the necessary training.
He explained that in the process, he has been able to identify some gifted players but was quick to add that it is too early to speak at length about their quality.
The coach noted that if grassroots football competitions like the ones organized by the proprietor of Pacesetters Academy Abuja are encouraged, his job would be made easier because it is at such competitions that talented footballers can be identified and nurtured to represent the country.
“I have not been seen everywhere but that is not to say I am not doing anything. As you have seen me here, that is how I have been going round, visiting places where age grade competitions are organized for talent hunt. I have been able to identify few players even at this competition. At the right time, I will bring them together.
“I wish to commend the organizer of this competition. This is what we make our job easier. It is at this level that we can identify talented footballers. This is a welcome development and I urge the organizer to keep it up.
The coach however said what has remained a thing of paramount importance to him is the true age of the players who participate in such competitions.
He noted that when over aged players are allowed to participate as mercenaries; it makes nonsense of the good intention of the organizers.
Odigie therefore said even as he has already identified good players from some of the competitions he has attended, he will first have to dig deep into their backgrounds to be sure that they are within the age before they would be invited to camp.
“I have seen a lot of them but my major concern is to raise a true national U-17 team. I will have to probe into their background to ascertain their real ages.
Odigie said with the support of the relevant authorities, he would be able to raise a formidable team for the country.