NFF GETS FRANTIC OVER BOSSO'S BOYS

Executive committee members of Nigeria Football Federation and the technical crew of the under-20 national team, Flying Eagles have met for three hours in Kigali, Rwanda, in the wake of the squad’s 2-1 loss to South Africa at the African Youth Championship. 

With three points from two matches and South Africa top with maximum six, while Egypt also have three, Nigeria must beat Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday at Amahoro Stadium to guarantee a semi-final ticket and a place at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Criticism has poured in on the players over their shaky form and poor attitude and team coach, Isah Ladan Bosso made it clear that he will ring changes in pattern and selection for the make or break clash with the Ivorians.

“Surely, there will be changes,” Bosso said. “We will leave out some players who are carrying on like they are already ‘stars’, and we will also change the formation.

“We are furious because that was a match we should have won. From now on, attitude will determine a lot. We do not want people behaving like they are bigger than Nigeria."

The attitude of team skipper, Lukman Haruna has been widely criticized, after he nonchalantly squandered a very early penalty that would have put the junior Eagles in the driving seat, but showed no remorse.

“The defeat to South Africa was painful, especially when you find out that we could have won if some players had the right attitude”, said NFF executive committee member, Dominic Iorfa, a former international striker who is leader of the Nigerian delegation.