Age debate reignited: Flying Eagles coach Bosso justifies selection of academy boys over NPFL stars

Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso aimed a dig at Nigeria Premier Football League players as he defended his decision to name several Academy players on a 30-player provisional roster for the upcoming African Games.

The experienced football tactician suggested that many NPFL players with at least two years experience in the Nigerian top-flight were not considered for the ongoing training camp in Abuja because they faked their ages. 

Bosso has opted for a couple of players he previously worked with at U20 level, while some members of the Golden Eaglets squad coached by Nduka Ugbade have been promoted to the U20 setup.

Despite the Flying Eagles' convincing 4-0 victory over Kickers FC in a recent friendly at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Bosso downplayed the significance of the result, stressing that it is premature to gauge the players' capabilities.

Bosso emphasized the importance of selecting players with transparent records to avoid suspicions.

"People have been saying why I called up academy players. I believe that the academy players will give us what we are look ing for better than that of the Nigeria Premier Football League," Bosso told reporters including Totori News. 

"Most of the Premier League players, in most cases no player in the NPFL that has played the Premier League for two years is an U20 player, it's a capital lie.

"Out of experience all you need to do, remember the last time we went to Niger, after winning the trophy some few players we just had to do away with them because of one problem or the other.

"The best thing is for us to go for players that have a very clear record, that cannot be suspected."

The Flying Eagles are scheduled to face Uganda, South Sudan, Senegal, and Tunisia in the group stage of the 2023 African Games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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