Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju
Ex-internationals, Mutiu Adepoju and Friday Ekpo, have cautioned against drafting players from the Nigeria U20 and U23 teams into the Super Eagles too soon, saying they currently lack the experience required for the senior team.
There have been calls for some players in these teams to be drafted into the senior team as players like Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidiebere Nwakali and Benard Bulbwa are tipped for success.
Adepoju said the talk about drafting the boys into the senior team may distract them from the forthcoming age grade competitions and added that they need more time to develop.
“The U20 and the U23 teams are supposed to be feeding the Super Eagles. But we need to allow them participate in the competitions they have at hand before we can start thinking of pushing them into the senior team,” Adepoju said.
“Let us see them succeed in what they have at hand. When they have gained more experience in the future, they can be introduced into the senior team gradually.”
Similarly, Ekpo said the boys still have a long way to go before they can play for the Super Eagles.
He said, “These boys have just started; they have been training all this while as U20 and U23, they need more playing time in their various teams and age grade competitions. That is their category for now and they are only trying to do well among their colleagues. When you talk about playing for the Super Eagles, you require a wealth of experience. If I may ask, what club is Awoniyi playing for either in Nigeria or abroad? For you to qualify to play for the Super Eagles, you have to play many times for both the national team and your club.
“They need more time. These boys shouldn’t be rushed into the Super Eagles.”
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