Former Nigeria U-17 team coach, John Obuh, has stated that Nigeria’s friendly match against Atletico Madrid ‘is a window’ for Super Eagles B team to prove themselves for invitation to the senior national team.
Salisu Yusuf’s men will take on the Los Rojiblancos in the Gotv Max Cup at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Obuh, however, has charged the invited 23 players (seven foreign-based and 16 Nigeria Professional Football League stars) to take advantage of the opportunity and make a point for subsequent selections in Gernot Rohr’s squad.
“I believe this is a window for the players to prove themselves for invitation to the senior national team,” Obuh told Goal.
“We have a lot of talents in Nigeria, if we continue depending on the Super Eagles, many people will not have the opportunity and at the same time, many will be forgotten.
“The game is another avenue of showcasing players who we didn’t make the World Cup squad.
“It’s a very good game because recently a South African club [Mamelodi Sundowns] played against Barcelona.”
Obuh added, “I know quite well that Nigeria can stop Atletico Madrid but some of the players can be naive and make costly mistakes during the game.
“The players are the ones that can give confidence for people to advocate for them. I feel happy when I see people advocating for the NPFL. However, it is left for the [NPFL] players to make it real with this kind of challenge and they should grab it with both hands.
“Games like this will either make people stand for them or stand against them. They should stand the authority and make people know that they can do it.”
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