Shake-Up Looms As NFF Targets Rebuilding Flying Eagles Ahead of World Cup

Shake-Up Looms As NFF Targets Rebuilding Flying Eagles Ahead of World Cup 

By Niyi Busari 

 President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has declared that the country's U-20 national team will undergo a full overhaul following a disappointing outing at the recent U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Gusau, who also recently assumed the role of President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B, expressed dissatisfaction with the Flying Eagles' performance and emphasized the need for decisive restructuring, particularly in the attacking department.

“We’re going to sit down and assess the team’s performance, evaluating each player individually to determine who has a future in the squad,” Gusau stated.

He added that new talents would be invited as part of a broader strategy to refresh the team’s structure ahead of upcoming regional competitions.

“There are clear deficiencies, especially in attack,” he said. “We plan to overhaul the entire department. The upcoming WAFU tournament will serve as a proving ground for new players as we begin the rebuilding process.”

Gusau emphasized the importance of identifying players who can meet the technical and tactical demands of international football, noting that while a few showed promise at the Nations Cup, others failed to meet expectations.

“Some of the players demonstrated quality, but it became clear that a number of them could not deliver at the level required,” he said. “The WAFU tournament will be crucial for assessing new invitees and determining who is capable of wearing the national colors going forward.”