LAGOS – Ex-international, Waidi Akanni, on Wednesday said Coach Samson Siasia needed to build a new U-23 team with young and energetic players to represent Nigeria in 2016 Olympics.
Akanni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the success of the team would be guaranteed with youth talents being identified and groomed.
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“ I’m sure Samson will know exactly the kind of players he wants to choose, but if I may advice him, I think younger players, players from the ages of like 17, 18.
“Basically because the tournament is in 2016, even though the qualifier is in 2015, so you want players that will fit under the age of 20, 21 before the tournament starts in Brazil.
“So if I were him I will just go for younger players between the ages of 18, 19.
“The most you can get probably 20 years’ old, those guys really will be very energetic, that will want to play for Nigeria and that’s what I think he needs for now.’’
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Akanni was a bronze medal winner with the Flying Eagles at the Moscow ’85 FIFA World Cup.
(NAN)
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