Players and officials of Nigeria’s U15 Boys, the Future Eagles, will depart the country on Wednesday, 11 December for Morocco, where the team is scheduled to take on the North Africans in two international friendly matches.
A delegation of 22 players and six officials, including head coach Patrick Bassey will make the trip as the Future Eagles prepare for their first international experience since the inception of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in Nigeria.
Mr. Nasiru Jibril, head of delegation, says the two friendly games against Morocco is a deliberate attempt at equipping young and talented Nigerian players discovered through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.
Jibril also highlighted the importance of exposing the players to top-notch facilities, adding that the international experience will help the Future Eagles prepare for the annual AFCON U17 and FIFA U17 tournaments.
“With the introduction of the annual U17 AFCON and FIFA World Cup, it is going to be really difficult if we don’t have such programs going for us,” he said. “I think the FIFA Talent Development Scheme has come at the right time, and is helpful to Nigeria football.
“Morocco is the place to which we have the most access, in terms of an organised place where we can go to, and people who already have the same kind of project we have running. Therefore, it is easier and better for us to go and play their own team because they have a team similar to our own.”
The Future Eagles will lock horns against their Moroccan counterpart in two matches scheduled for the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football on the 12 and 15 December, with both games to kick-off at 5pm local time (same as Nigerian Time).
Full Future Eagles 22-player shortlist for Morocco friendly
Goalkeepers: Isaac Tomiwa (Mees Palace); Johnson Amaagudi (Ajarah FA); Somtochukwu Ibe (Adoration FC)
Defenders: Nicodemus Gideon (Relentless FA); Raphael Umah (Udi Stars FA); Luka Ephraim (Sporting Lagos); Muhammad Shamsudeen (Mavlon FC); Samuel Yusuf (Stormer FA)
Midfielders: Praise Averwosou (Morak FC); Uwem Bassey (2S Academy); Farwas Adeleke (Lanreleke FA); Raheem Salaudeen (Buruj FC); Kunle Tokode (White Caps FC, Canada); Ighodaro Dominion (Bendel Insurance Youth Team); Obasahon Emmanuel (Dynamo FA)
Forwards: Samuel Essien (PSports FA); Abubakar Abdulrazaq (Simon Ben FA); Ogar Timothy (Mavlon FC); Yusuf Saminu (Kano Pillars U15); Ebube Oyari (Sensational FA); Sha’Aban Musa (School Sports); Yusuf Auwal (Peace FA)
