Future Eagles of Nigeria head coach Patrick Bassey has assured fans and stakeholders that the country’s U15 national team will not be dissolved.
Instead, the players will progress into the U16 and U17 age groups as part of a carefully planned development strategy. This comes after the team’s first training tour in Morocco, where they faced the Moroccan U16 national team in two friendly matches.
Mixed Results in Morocco, But Optimism Remains
The Future Eagles began their tour with a 2-0 defeat to the Moroccan U16s, but they bounced back in the second leg.
A dramatic 85th-minute penalty helped Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw, leaving Bassey optimistic about the players’ growth. “These boys gained valuable experience playing against a strong team like Morocco. Despite the results, they showed great potential,” Bassey said.
Pathway to U16 and U17 National Teams
Bassey emphasized that the U15 players, scouted from across Nigeria earlier this year, will transition to the U16 national team in 2025. “These boys will graduate from U15 to U16,” Bassey confirmed.
He added that the U16 team will participate in the prestigious Japan Invitational Tournament, typically held in June or July. “If any other invitational tournaments come up, these boys will be considered as well,” he said.
🚨Nigeria’s U15 boys, nicknamed Future Eagles, are in Morocco for a two-match tour of that country with the Morocco U15 team in the city of Kenitra.
Kenitra is two-and-half hours by road from Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic capital.
Coach Patrick Bassey and… pic.twitter.com/Af6r8f7271
— MikeThePundit (@Mike_ThePundit) March 21, 2024
Preparation for Future Success at U17 Level
Looking beyond the U16 stage, Bassey also revealed his expectations for the players’ future.
He believes that most of the current U15 squad will eventually make the jump to the Nigeria U17 team. “We have already laid the foundation for the next U17 team,” Bassey explained. “These players will be ready to step up when the time comes.”
Nigeria’s Youth Development Pipeline Continues to Strengthen
Bassey’s comments highlight a commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring a smooth progression through Nigeria’s youth ranks.
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As the team prepares for future international competitions, including the 2025 Japan Invitational, the Future Eagles will continue to focus on honing their skills and gaining valuable exposure on the global stage.
