Nigeria is the most successful country in the history of FIFA U-17 world cup, haven won the tournament on five different occasions.
However, despite the success at the cadet competitions, the country is faced with the challenges of a smooth transition of these young players into the Super Eagles as most of them disappear after moving to Europe.
While many have criticized the Nigeria Football Federation for lack of good structures that will help the smooth transition of these youngsters into the senior national, Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo has also explained another challenge that has stopped the players from fulfilling their potentials and play at the highest level.
The Leganes of Spain defender who is one of the few players who have represented Nigeria at all the levels believed the player also must share part of the blames and he highlighted that most of them made wrong decisions after bursting in the scene.
“I think one of the reasons, is bad decisions, as a young player you have to be ready and know that if you are not playing then the values go down,” he told www.brila.net.
Omeruo who is part of the squad that lost in the final of the 2009 FIFA U-17 world cup to Switzerland, also advised the players to put regular game time before anything when they are moving to Europe.
“One thing I have always done is playing, I always wanted to play, It does not matter where, either at the club or going on loan, because if you are not playing then it’s difficult for the national team to invite you base on fitness level.”He advised.
The likes of Marculay Chrisantus, Rabiu Ibrahim, Sani Emmanuel Karimu Shuaibu and others, are some of the U17 stars tipped to shine at the Super Eagles level, but it was not meant to be as they all failed to hit great height after moving to Europe.
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