We Can Become Africa Champions At U-15 Level - NFF

The Chief Technical officer of the Nigeria Football Federation, coach Siji Lagunju has revealed that the football house is working towards becoming Africa champions at the U-15 level through its youth development football programme.

Lagunju who made the statement in Abuja on Thursday after watching the National U-15 boys beat the Super Falcons 1-0 in a test game, said the NFF is putting everything in place to ensure victory at the upcoming Africa Youth championship in Botswana.

“The boys have barely spent 24 hours in camp and they have shown they can play football, we will be going to Botswana with the mind that we can become African champion at this level.

“No doubt we still need to work on these boys in terms of their conditionings, techniques and by the time they spend three weeks in camp, you’ll see the Nigeria spirit in them.”  Lagunju concluded.

33 Nigeria National U-15 Team players are in camp in Abuja ahead of the Africa Youth championship billed for May in Botswana.

The NFF are also working towards having the boys relocated to Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, to allow for proper concentration ahead of the games.

The NFF youth development football programme has produced players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Eze, among others who helped Nigeria to win gold at the 2013 FIFA U-17 championship in UAE.