Fundamental changes for Nigeria ahead of WYC

The Nigeria team will face fundamental changes before they take part in the 17th Fifa World Youth Championship to be hosted by Egypt from September 25 to October 16, 2009.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Nigeria team will face fundamental changes before they take part in the 17th Fifa World Youth Championship to be hosted by Egypt from September 25 to October 16, 2009.

The Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso said that his team which failed to progress past the semi-final stage of the African Youth Championship needs massive revamping ahead of the World Championship so as to avoid further humiliation on the world scene.

"We will need to add in a few players in this squad if we are to impress at the world championship but this squad did they best and we hope for the best in Egypt.” Bosso said.

Bosso added that  against Cameroon his players put in their best performance of the tournament despite failing to utilize their several goal scoring opportunities.

"We played good football in this tournament and we lost to a good side who took their chances. We had more opportunities but we could not deliver,” cried Bosso.

Five-time champions Nigeria were beaten 2-0 by Cameroon in the semifinal of the African Youth Championships on Wednesday.

Jacques Zoua outstripped fullback Lukman Abdulkarim to squirt a low driven cross past Dele Ajiboye to open the score.

And a criminal defensive lapse starting with Matthew Edile failing to track down Ekeng Patrick saw Ajiboye failing to hold another low cross to Abdulkarim dilly dallying around rather than clear the ball, allowed Germain Tiko to sneak in and blast home.

Nigeria skipper Lukman Haruna hit the post 10 minutes into the first half, then hit a 75th minute penalty against the other post to complete a miserable day for him and Nigeria.

Chrisantus Macauley also headed straight at the goalkeeper as Nigeria applied early pressure.

Nigeria will face South Africa in a repeat of the Group B clash in the Third place play-off Saturday.

Ends