Some football fans in Ebonyi on Monday in
Abakaliki hailed the contributions of six Nigerian
youngsters to England’s FIFA U-20 World Cup
victory in South Korea on Sunday.
England defeated Venezuela 1-0 to win the
trophy, making it their first World Cup triumph
since winning the senior category on home soil
in 1966.
The six Nigerians: Ademola Lukman, Ovie Ejaria,
Sheyi Ojo, Dominic Solanke, Fikayo Tomori and
Joshua Onoma played active roles in the
eventual victory of the Junior Lions.
It was against this backdrop that the Nigerian-
born English youngsters were commended by
fans in Ebonyi for their remarkable feat.
Chinedu Chukwugbo, former Golden Eaglets
goalkeeper stated that the victory showed the
efficacy of the youth football development
programme in England and continental Europe.
“These players are discovered and nurtured in
efficient academies and made to combine their
soccer sojourns effectively with their academics.
“Countries such as England and France should
be commended for integrating players of African
origin in their youth systems without minding
their dominance of the entire teams,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Chika Nwangele, who plies his
trade with Ebonyi United FC, said that Nigeria
should learn the lesson of effective team
building from England’s experience.
“The English team nurtured for a long time and
strengthened with players who had premiership
and championship experiences which helped the
team tremendously.
Advertisement
“The Nigerian AFCON qualifying loss to South
Africa exposed their weaknesses as the
youngsters on parade had no experience to
match the tactical expertise of the South
Africans,’’ he said.
Chief Jones Mgbabor, a former Local
Government Chairman in Ebonyi called on the
nation’s soccer authorities to immediately seek
the commitment of the victorious Nigerian
players to the Super Eagles.
“The process of the players’ switching allegiance
to Nigeria should commence immediately to
enable them get acquainted with the Super
Eagles in due course.
“We have to avoid a situation where players
such as Tyronne Ebuehi and Troost-Ekong
among others are still struggling with the Eagles
and attracting calls for more experienced players
in the team after the South African loss,’’ he
said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Tina Ejezie, a youth activist and
soccer buff, has called for the establishment of
proactive soccer academies in the country to
replicate the feat of England among other
countries in such areas.
“The viability of such academies in the country
will make players of Nigerian ancestry abroad to
return home and harness their soccer and
academic potential.
“I recall that Nigeria depended on players from
academies to prosecute the 2009 FIFA U-17
World Cup which it hosted when Coach John
Obuh took over the team a few weeks to the
competition,’’ she added.

https://www.today.ng/sport/football/303709/20-wcup-ebonyi-fans-hail-nigerian-lads-contributions-englands-victory

Lalasticlala Robosky02