Under-20 Prodigees Must Work Hard To Earn A Place In Super Eagles – Keshi

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi, insists high-flying under-20 stars tipped for senior call-ups must prove themselves when they finally get that opportunity.

Flying Eagles captain Musa Muhammed, Manchester City stalwart, Kelechi Iheanacho, Belgium-based Taiwo Awoniyi and Granada’s Isaac Success are considered to be mature for full international caps. Muhammed and Awoniyi were both in action for the country’s under-20 as they clinched a seventh African Youth Championship in Senegal last month.

“I don’t have a problem inviting the players,” Keshi said. They are good lads. Myself and the likes of Henry Nwosu also got into the national team at age 17.”

He added: “But it’s not about inviting them, they must be ready for the challenge of being in the national team because this is the height of it in the national team.”

Taiwo Awoniyi Scored Twice as Dream Team VI Clinch All-Africa Games Slot. Image: AFP.
Taiwo Awoniyi Scored Twice as Dream Team VI Clinch All-Africa Games Slot. Image: AFP.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have charged the 52-year-old to include in his plans the transition of the country’s under-20 prospects to the senior Super Eagles after signing a new two-year contract.

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