Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has thumbed-up Ace Football Academy of Kaduna after they forced his wards to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.
Christian Charles gave the Golden Eaglets a first half lead when he converted a penalty after Suleiman Muhammed’s goal-bound shot was handled in the box by Ace’s captain, Hassan; who later brought both
sides on equal terms in the second half as he nodded home a corner kick beyond Eaglets’ goalkeeper, Amos Benjamin.
Golden Eaglets
The Golden Eaglets actually started with a possible line up complete with many youngsters recruited from the national Under-15 team but it was there for all to see that some still need some catch up days leading to the team’s opening match against host (Niger) at the forthcoming Niger 2015.
“I intentionally started this match with many of our fringe players in order to see how they can collectively cope,” Amuneke said afterwards.” But Ace really gave us a good test and we can now judge some of these youngsters better.”
While Ace practically dominated the first stanza of the match but lost several opportunities, the Golden Eaglets were better towards the end of match following the introduction of their tried and tested legs.
“I think Ace was better than us especially in the first half but we are not discouraged about the performance of some of our players,” added Amuneke.”Now, we are gradually having a clearer picture of what our team would look like in Niger.”
Niger 2015, the 11the African U-17 Championship would be held in Niamey between February 15 and March 1st. The Golden Eaglets are drawn in Group A along with host, Niger; Guinea and Zambia. Nigeria and their northern neighbour, Niger, would play the championship’s opening fixture of February 15 at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) multi-purpose stadium.
Emmanuel Amuneke, Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, has fore closed likelihood of screening fresh players with hordes still drooping to the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.
Though the ‘screening window’ to beef up Niger 2015-bound Golden Eaglets was concluded over a week ago with about 100 players picked from a rigorous exercise, the coaching crew magnanimously allowed few more recruits since they had travelled far and wide to Abuja.
“We don’t have time on our hand again and we have been kind enough to see what some of you can offer but today is the final day,” said Amuneke after Tuesday’s evening session.”Our philosophy is simple
which hard work is and we are not going to compromise it.
“I want you to go back to your various academies and continue to work harder because there could be another opportunity if we qualify for the World Cup in Chile by the grace of God,” said the former Nigerian
international.
Golden Eaglets Training
Already about 20 players with various documented irregularities have been cut off from the pool and a further 44 screened for lacking the technical and tactical abilities. Officials said the remainder are
being subjected to intensive training in order to ascertain their consistency over a time frame and would further be pruned to a manageable number in the coming days.
“We are gradually getting to the moment of truth,” noted Prince Udofia, Golden Eaglets’ coordinator.”The coaching crew has done a very good job and there is no way the screening can go on forever; of course, many would want to be given another chance but the time before the start of our competition is short,” he noted.
Niger 2015, the 11th African U-17 Championship would be held in Niamey between February 15 and March 1st.
The Golden Eaglets are drawn in Group A along with host, Niger; Guinea and Zambia. Nigeria and their northern neighbour, Niger, would play the championship’s opening fixture of February 15 at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) multi-purpose stadium in Niamey.
…as training session enters new phase Golden Eaglets’ training session was taking to a new level on
Wednesday with intensive ball work by the players while the goalkeepers underwent agility test.
Emmanuel Amuneke, Head Coach, said it was important for the players to be put through new routine since there size is now manageable:”It is about time we start reminding ourselves of what we used to do and I
want the new ones to pay special attention to what we are doing. The Under-17 national team is not a bunch of friends set up and anybody that is picked should be able to defend us very well; so serious work
starts.”
Unlike the last three weeks when they mere played to impress s the coaching crew, the youngsters were able to show how strong they are on the ball in confined space. According to Kabiru Baleria, Golden Eaglets’ Assistant Coach who was a gifted striker in his playing days, the rationale behind the new session was to see how the players can effectively dominate the ball when under intense pressure.
“Apart from the passing drill, we can see the marking ability of the players,” said Baleria who was sourced from three-time Premier League Champions, Kano Pillars.”Now, it is easier for us to see much better how skilful thee players are unlike a situation whereby some would hide in full pitch.”
On the other end, Emeka Amadi, Goalkeepers’ trainer put his wards under challenging task including ball work, foot work, and endurance test amongst others.
“The goalkeeping area is a crucial aspect and unfortunately, our young goalkeepers are not properly trained from their respective academies,” said the German-trained Amadi, a former youth international.” But my
objective is to ensure that any of the goalkeepers can man the goal post at any given time.”
Presently, five goalkeepers picked from the screening exercise have joined the trio of Amos Benjamin; Ebuka Nwokeocha and Akpan Udoh who are already Golden Eaglets’ set regular faces in serious competition for a place in the 21-man squad for Niger 2015.
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