The @FIFA U17 Bi-annual Women’s World Cup, was first held in 2008, and was hosted by New Zealand. Late Coach Gabosky was in charge of the Nigerian team, where it finished 3rd in group stage.
Coach Peter Dedevbo qualified his Nigeria team for the Quarter-finals in 2010 and 2012 but lost after extra time and penalties respectively failing to progress to the semi finals. These were the best performances of the Nigeria women’s U17 team till date.
In 2014, Bala Nkiyu took charge and Nigeria again got to another quarter-finals only to be stopped by Spain. Things got bad in 2016 as Nigeria finished 4th in group stage with 1 point and 1 goal, in 2018 it got even worse as the unimaginable happened, Nigeria did not qualify for the World cup with Coach Bala Nkiyu still in charge over these periods. Perhaps, such should not be acceptable considering the pool of talents across the country.
What then could be the problem?
NFF!
It’s 2020, another year to showcase talents at global level but the NFF is yet to publish the list of technical crew, and yet to call players to camp. Nigeria will be playing its first qualifying match away to Guinea on the 28th of February. Other countries like Ghana, Guinea, Uganda, Ethiopia, among many others have called players to camp over a month ago.
If only Nigeria (NFF) would embark on thorough and quality preparation for tournaments, not only will she get to the finals of the World cup, but will also discover young and potentially great players that would eventually progress to the U20 and consequently to the senior national team.
You will agree with me that when talent is not nurtured, hard work supersede.
MOLATsportgist 