Ibrahim Sunusi, the joint top scorer in the 2018/2019 NPFL season is top on the list of 52 players invited by Nigeria U-17 national team coach, Manu Garba, for the final phase of preparation ahead the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup finals in Brazil, Completesports.com reports.
Garba’s 52-man list has players discovered by the NFF scouting team during the Zenith Bank sponsored tournament and some products of the LMC U-15 tournament.
“It is going to be a screening session which is from where the players for the Golden Eaglets World Cup team will be selected,” offers the spokesman of the team, Francis Achi.
The players were asked to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday. But Completesports.com understands that the information got to the players late.
“As we speak now (Wednesday morning), about 20 players are already in camp. We will have a full house before the end of today, so that twice-a-day training sessions will commence tomorrow, (Thursday)”, Achi added.
Assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade and other backroom staff are already in camp, with head coach, Manu Garba, expected to join up later on today (Wednesday).
Nigeria have won the FIFA U17 World Cup five times; 1985 in China, 1993 in Japan, 2007 Korea, 2013 in UAE and 2015 in Chile.
The 2019 edition to be staged in Brazil will kick off on October 26 and will end on November 17, 2019.
The Brazil showpiece will be Nigeria’s 13th appearances in the championship with five title wins, and three silver medal feats in 1987, 2001 and 2009 in previous 12 finals.
The Manu Garba’s charges qualified for Brazil 2019 edition following a fourth position finish at the 2019 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania.
By Sab Osuji
15 Comments
Why 52 players again, after two major international tournaments? Is this a fund- raising exercise? Or are the players to WAFU and U-17 AFCON wiped out by MRI?
Can someone explain to me? Instead of concentrating on beefing up the team, replace the few ones that could be disqualified by the much feared Magnetic Resonance Imaging, improve the team’s defense outlay, and work on their goal conversion, I mean tackle all noticeable technical problems that were so glaring at U-17 AFCON competition in Tanzania, look at the number of players being invited. Are we starting all over again? Nawa o.
52 is small u would have invite 5000 old and lazy men in camp,shameless man
Something is obviously wrong somewhere.. Focus should be on perfecting strategies for the world cup is only days away.
This is more than double the allowed number (23) but we know the truth as Nigerians.
A fresh coach would always want to give his best to make a name but after that would realize filling his pocket is the most important part as a wise Nigerian. Besides the players he produced and nuturted are earning more than he does and it’s normal to feel under appreciated.
It’s either we work on the structure and improve football and coaching in the country to attract sponsor who would make this guys ideally comfortable or we continue to have coaches who use the team to enrich themselves.
Can someone tell me that an NPFL top scorer is an under 17 player in Nigeria? What a
fun!
There’s MRI scan to identify age cheat don’t worry about that.
I think he could be an academy player promoted because of his qualities among his mates and proved his mettle by scoring 10 goals in the Nigerian professional league.
Actually,a sixteen years old can score goals among older players.
Football is an art not power as we may think.If you got the talent,the skill and flair you can do wonderful things older people may find difficult doing.
Yes he could be genuinely under 17 otherwise there’s the MRI waiting I don’t think this is an issue.
@Greenturf my brother, if a 16 yr old is top scorer of the Nigerian league, then our league is dead. This just translates into why we get booted out of all Caf club competitions. If he is truly u-17, then its just a case of d best mediocre amongst mediocres. Maybe I m missing something here, can someone please tell me a standard football league where a 16 yr old was highest goal scorer. Our local coaches? They re definitely not ready. God bless Gernot Rohr…His honest approach is helping succeed.
Was about to ask same question. How can a dude that is below 17yrs be a joint top scorer in our domestic league???? And yet some people supposedly with their right senses would clanour for their inclusion in our great se? I really wonder what would’ve become of our se if rohr wasn’t in charge.
NPFL top scorer last session in Nigeria under 17 squad, but Nigeria Why?
Ibrahim Sunusi, the joint top scorer in the 2018/2019 NPFL season is top on the list of 52 players invited by Nigeria U-17 national team coach, Manu Garba…… What a COUNTRY..
Thinking outside of the box is a mjor problem with most of our Nigerian Coaches. All the Same, Success
These are the kind of couches some people want for the Super Eagles, why are our local coaches are like this?
Hmmmmm Na waooo for Nigeria .
These are the kind of coach’s some people want for the Super Eagles, why are our local coach’s are like this?
Hmmmmm Na waooo for Nigeria .
Sorry for the typing error…..
Ibrahim Sunusi, the joint top scorer in the 2018/2019 NPFL season. Could this guy be U-17? Hmmmmmm!
Well,I don’t know & I can’t say concerning Sanusi Ibrahim’s case but a 16 year old can actually top a good league. If Rashford, Owen and Mbape can perform well at European champions league, it is also possible here. Gone are those days when it was not possible. Now, everyone is sensitive about football & know that it’s a big investment not ordinary sport. I know of a secondary school with boys of 15-17 years in d sch team who can actually do well when given d chance.u will doubt their ages if you see their stature and how matured they play
Ojediran the number8 pls am 15 years old please how can I attend the screening those it cause any money to attend I wont to attend the 2021 screening please God will help you you will have a good contract in Jesus name help me with the details ply
am a player, playing in the pitch with football on my leg is my hubby i want to attend the screening of of under 17 nigeria team in abuja but i have body to scout me and i need it