Garba warns players, as Flying Eagles begin final preparations

FLYING Eagles coach, Manu Garba, has disclosed that no player listed for the final screening for the 2015 U-20 World Cup, slated to take place in New Zealand next month, would get automatic shirt in the team.

Speaking with The Guardian just as the team’s camp opened in Abuja yesterday, Garba reiterated his commitment to raise a formidable squad for the championship. He noted that he has been keeping close tab with the foreign-based players to ensure they arrived early to join their counterparts in training.

The former U-17 handler also revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was working round the clock to organize quality friendlies to keep the team in shape for the World Championship.

He also disclosed that his boys were not perturbed by the quality of opposition they would contend with in the Championship, stressing that the Flying Eagles were used to meeting tough opponents in big competitions.

“We will begin training on Monday morning to kick start our the World Cup preparations. My mission is to assemble a young team Nigerians would be proud of in the championship. Players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success and other foreign- based stars have been calling me on phone, assuring they would join the team in earnest.

“As part of efforts to raise a solid team for the World Cup, I have told my players that they must all work hard to earn a place in my team,” he said.

Garba, who won the FIFA U17 World Cup two years ago and also took the 2015 African U-20 Championship in Senegal, is expected to lead the Nigerian side to win the U-20 World Cup for the first time.

The FIFA U- 20 World Cup would kick off on May 30 in New Zealand.