Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are set to face hosts Egypt in the third-place playoff of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, May 18 amid calls for a major shake-up of the squad following their narrow semi-final defeat to South Africa’s Amajita, Footynaija.com reports.
Aliyu Zubairu’s team displayed impressive defensive discipline throughout the tournament but struggled in attack, managing only three goals in five matches. Despite their semi-final exit, the Flying Eagles have secured qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
However, their performance has triggered debates over the readiness of the current squad for the global stage. Head coach Zubairu recently hinted at a possible overhaul of the team, stating that “some players aren’t ready for the demands of a World Cup.”
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This suggestion has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders in Nigerian football, including former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju. The ex-international believes a complete shake-up of the squad would be counterproductive, especially after the team’s commendable run in Egypt.
What did Mutiu Adepoju say?
“If they (the Flying Eagles) have participated and they have performed very well, why change the team? If there is any addition that is going to improve what they have, there is no problem,” Adepoju told New Telegraph.
“But changing the team totally with players that have not even been tested in the qualifiers, that is not useful to the team, I don’t think it’s right.
“I believe that if there is an addition, a little addition that will balance or improve on what they have on ground ahead of the World Cup, yes. But changing the team entirely with different players and others, I don’t think that will work.
“The players that have played the AFCON, they’ve been with the coach and they’ve known themselves and they are performing very well as far as qualifying for the World Cup, so why do you have to change them?
“Like I said, there is no need to overhaul the team. Get a few players that are going to add value to the team, then we are good to go. It’s not because somebody is playing in Europe, then you bring him to the team.”
As Nigeria prepares for their final AFCON U20 fixture, the lenses will once again zoom in on their performance in attack. Against an Egyptian side that will be buoyed by home support, the Flying Eagles will have their work cut out for them at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.
