Nigeria’s U17 coach Manu Garba has expressed his determination to bolster his team’s performance ahead of the upcoming 2024 WAFU U-17 Zone B Tournament.

Playing in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Togo, and the Republic of Benin, Garba emphasized the need for significant improvements across various aspects of the team’s play in preparation for the tournament.

“At the moment I have seen a lot of exciting players especially in the midfield and wing midfielders too but the only positions I must have to fortify have to be centre-back, left-back and the attack,” Manu Garba said.

“Although some players are trying in those positions, I need stiff competition so that we can get the best out of them.

“For the midfield it will be difficult for any player to displace some of the boys playing in midfield at the moment.”

Garba also admitted some players spotted from NPFL La Liga U17 will be drafted into the squad.

“About fortification I need to see players that are better than the ones I have on ground.

“Yesterday we had a meeting with the Technical Committee Department and we have agreed that the players that have been penciled down from the NPFL U17 League should be brought to contest for places in the team.

“From the players coming hopefully on Monday or Tuesday, if they can pass the MRI, it will be good for the country too but they must prove that they are better than the players on ground because the best must also wear the national colours.”

With the tournament scheduled to take place in Ghana from May 15 to May 28, Manu Garba and his coaching staff have been charged to qualify the team for African junior championships.