Manu Garba impressed with Golden Eaglets midfield pre-U17 WAFU B, identifies three positions to fortify

Newly appointed Nigeria U17 coach Manu Garba says he is impressed with the midfielders currently in camp ahead of the 2024 WAFU U-17 Zone B Tournament.

The Golden Eaglets have been drawn in Group B of the tournament, alongside Burkina Faso, Togo and Republic of Benin.

2013 Fifa U17 World Cup-winning manager Garba highlighted that three positions have to be strengthened before the 2024 WAFU U-17 Zone B Tournament, which will hold in Ghana from May 15 to May 28.

Garba emphasized that it would be difficult for fresh players to displace the midfielders who have been performing admirably at the training camp but noted that he is on the lookout for centre-backs, left-backs and strikers to bolster the squad. 

"At the moment I have seen a lot of exciting players especially in the midfield and wing midfielders too but the only positions I must have to fortify have to be centre-back, left-back and the attack," Manu Garba said. 

"Although some players are trying in those positions, I need stiff competition so that we can get the best out of them.

"For the midfield it will be difficult for any player to displace some of the boys playing in midfield at the moment."

With less than a month before the start of the WAFU U-17 Zone B Tournament, Garba is aware that he does not have a lot of time on his hands to begin scouting for new players to beef up the Golden Eaglets. 

The seasoned coach will begin assessing notable players from the NPFL U17 Youth League early next week, with the intention of considering them for the squad if they meet the standard.

"About fortification I need to see players that are better than the ones I have on ground.

"Yesterday we had a meeting with the Technical Committee Department and we have agreed that the players that have been penciled down from the NPFL U17 League should be brought to contest for places in the team.

"From the players coming hopefully on Monday or Tuesday, if they can pass the MRI, it will be good for the country too but they must prove that they are better than the players on ground because the best must also wear the national colours."

The 2024 WAFU U-17 Zone B Tournament serves as qualifiers for the 2025 Africa  U17 Cup of Nations. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com