Former Nigeria international, Duke Udi has implored Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr to second Eagles’ players who fall within the age bracket to Dream Team VII so as to help the Imama Amakpakabo tutored side beat Libya on Monday, March 25 in Asaba.
Following what many have adjudged a disappointing performance, Nigeria’s U23 side is on a very slippery surface and must overturn a 2-0 loss suffered against Libya in the first leg of their Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifier played on Wednesday in Tunisia and Udi reckons the team can bounce back if it is effectively strengthened with young stars from the Super Eagles.
Asked about Nigeria’s chances in the reverse against Libya, Udi told brila.net: “I feel the Super Eagles Techincal Adviser, Gernot Rohr can help the U23 team by sending players like Alex Iwobi, Francis, Wilfred Ndidi and others who fall within the age bracket to the side.
“I know such a move will make the Dream Team VII unstoppable. These players have the quality to easily turn the tide in Nigeria’s favour.’
Interestingly, critics in some quarters are also pointing fingers of fault at the coach, Imama Amapakabo for relying basically on foreign-based players, to the detriment of several talents in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). However, Udi still feels the Dream Team require more foreign-based pros.
“I will not criticize Amapakabo or his assistants (Kenedy Boboye and Fidelis Ilechukwu). He is a sound coach, he is also the assistant of Rohr.
“What he needs right now is assistance which I think the Franco-German tactician can easily provide. Give the U23’s these few pros and they will beat the Libyans convincingly!’
A victory by three unreplied goals on Monday, March 25 would pave Nigeria’s way to the final round of qualifiers for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, which is due in June. And the final tournament in Egypt will determine which three African teams will compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics men’s football tournament in Japan.
Nigeria is the only African country to have won gold, silver and bronze medals of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament. Gold was the harvest at the Centennial Games in Atlanta, USA and silver came in Beijing, China in 2008.
The bronze medal won by the Olympic Eagles at the Games in Brazil in 2016 was the only medal won by the entire Team Nigeria at the fiesta.
