Only recently, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, inaugurated an 8-Man monitoring Committee to coordinate the team’s preparations and participation in the 2009 World U-17 Championship.
Speaking to Trustsports on the team’s preparations, the former handler of Nigerdock FC, Gabros FC and Udoji United said going by the poor preparation so far witnessed, the chances of Nigeria retaining the trophy which was won in Korea in 2007 are very slim.
Oche said it is worrisome that with less than five months to the commencement of the championship, Nigeria is yet to put in place a formidable team that would defend the trophy which Late Coach Yemi Tella sacrificed his life to win for Nigeria.
He noted that instead of assembling the right players who would represent the country, the football federation is busy experimenting with coaches and players.
“Looking at the team’s preparation, I can tell you that even the Super Eagles will not be able to win the FIFA U-17 World Championship on if asked to play in place of the Eaglets. Those saddled with the responsibility of preparing the team are finding it difficult because they are not given the free hand to build a world cup winning team.
“I said even Super Eagles cannot win the championship because they can only win if they prepare well for the championship. I don’t see Nigeria doing well at the championship” he insisted.
Oche, therefore advised that if the football federation cannot assemble a team to represent the country, Nigeria should not participate in the championship.
“My candid advice is that if they cannot raise a good team to represent us, Nigeria should only host the championship. There is no point featuring a team that would be a huge disappointment to Nigerian football fans”.
The Egypt based football coach lamented that in as much as Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents in football, each time she is to participate in a major competition, the country finds it extremely hard to assemble the right players.
