The coach of the U17 team of Nigeria Manu Garba says he is on the lookout for defenders before his team resume camping for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic next year.
Coach Manu led his ward to victory at the recently concluded WAFU B U17 Championship which served as qualifiers for the African event of the U17 Championship, with Nigeria picking the lone ticket from the zone thanks to a 4-2 win over Ghana on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Ahead of the resumption of camping next year, the soft spoken coach said he has already identified areas he need to beef up before the team proceed to campaign at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will serve as the qualifiers for the U17 World Youth Championship.
” We will do with some exceptional talents in attack and in midfield but our focus is mainly on the defence as we are short of options there due to circumstances beyond our control. Right full back and central defence to be precise”, Manu told Owngoalnigeria.com.
His wards are expected to resume training in the first quarter of next year and just as they did in the first phase of camping and training, the coach has ruled out the option of having open screening for eligible players.