Garba goes tough, as Flying Eagles depart for Ghana today

Team camps in Gambia

THE national U-20 team is expected to depart for Ghana today for a warm up tie against the Ghanaian U-20 team this weekend, a game aimed at keeping the team ready for the African Youth Championship slated to hold in Senegal next month.

   Flying Eagles’ Coach, Manu Garba, told The Guardian yesterday that the team will return to the country immediately after the game to commence final preparations for the African Championship, adding that he will pick his final squad for the championship after the series of tune up games lined up for the team.

  The former Golden Eaglets’ coach said he was keeping close watch on his players to ensure the best legs make the trip to Senegal, revealing that as part of   measures to forestall any form of indiscipline in the team, he has warned the players that there is no automatic shirt for any player.

  He also disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded plans to camp the team in Gambia for the final preparation for the AYC, saying the NFF chose Gambia because the country shares the same weather condition with Senegal.

    He said: “The Flying Eagles will be travelling to Ghana on Friday to play two friendly games against the Ghanaian U-20 side and another Youth team this weekend. Immediately after those games, the team will return to Nigeria on Monday and travel to Gambia for final preparation for the championship. 

  “Right now, the players are in high spirit ahead of the tournament… the final list of players for the AYC would be released 10 days before the championship. The players that could not make the final list would be decamped in Gambia before the team departs for Senegal.”