"FIFA TDS Will Return Nigeria Back To Winning U17 World Cup" - Head Coach

"FIFA TDS Will Return Nigeria Back To Winning U17 World Cup" - Head Coach

By Niyi Busari

Nigeria U15 Head Coach, Patrick Bassey is optimistic that the West African country will return back to winning the FIFA U17 world cup with the introduction of Talent Development Scheme (TDS),BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Bassey made this known on Saturday evening after the end of third phase of the camping programs of FIFA TDS in Abuja. A pool of 40 players within the ages of 12 and 14 years were scouted and invited from across the country for the third pahse with last coming up in December.

Bassey emphasized that the program is the lasting solution to the open screening of more 1,000 players whenever U17 camp is opened. He added that the days of massive failure of MRI Test by the players is over as the scheme provides young players who will pass the test seamlessly for the U17 competitions.

He said, "First if all, I want to thank FIFA and the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau for the opportunity to open this camp for children who are U15. The third phase ends today and I am confident that this program will return Nigeria back to winning the FIFA U17 World Cup which we last won in 2015.

"It will also help any Golden Eaglets coach to easily get a pool of players who will pass the MRI Test to work with when they resume duty.

The Nigeria U17 team is the most successful in international football for the age group, winning a record of five FIFA U-17 World Cup titles and have been runners-up on three occasions. They are also two-time Africa U-17 Cup of Nations champions with the last title at the 2007 edition.