'Nigeria Will Be Able To Reproduce The Likes Of Amokachi, Kanu, Okocha' - Taribo West Salutes Golden Eaglets

Taribo West was at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja to watch the Golden Eaglets players train on Wednesday and the former Inter Milan and Auxerre star has lavished praise on the Manu Garba-led team after observing them at close quarters.

Before he became a seasoned international back in the day, West was a member of arguably the most star studded U20 team ever assembled by Nigeria, the Flying Eagles class of 1993, and won the Olympic title with the original Dream Team in 1996.

Based on what he saw during the Golden Eaglets workout, West believes that the players have the potential to step into the shoes of Nigeria legends such as Daniel Amokachi, Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu.

''I saw a very bright future generation of Nigerian players, I was very impressed. A couple of them are also in the younger age team like the U15, super players,'' said Taribo West.

''I saw fantastic players that I believe that in the future Nigeria will be able to reproduce the likes of Amokachi, Okocha and Kanu. I was very impressed.

''If they can apply the kind of display I saw here today and also listen to the instruction of their coaches, they will bring back the Cup again.''

West has stressed again and again that the physical condition of the Golden Eaglets players is top-notch.

The central defender concluded by saying, ''The team is physically fit and there is a lot of coordination within the young boys, the collectivity is outstanding so this team has future and I can bet on the team.

''Physically they are very strong, they just need some few trial matches, that is take them out to expose them and they will do the needful.''

The Golden Eaglets are due to participate in the UEFA Assist Tournament in Turkey later this month before heading to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the final phase of preparations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel