National Teams
NFF Implements New Criteria for Nigeria U-17 Selection: Emphasis on Local Talent and Development
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In a big coverage shift, the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) has imposed a ban on gamers born overseas and people affiliated with international groups from collaborating within the Nigeria U-17 staff.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau introduced that solely gamers based mostly in Nigeria, actively engaged with native academies and youth groups affiliated with league sides, will probably be eligible for choice on the U-17 stage.
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The choice underscores the NFF’s dedication to nurturing and creating expertise inside the native soccer ecosystem.
President Gusau emphasised that participant choice for the Nigeria U-17 staff will probably be revamped, with a main give attention to a youth match carried out throughout varied zones in Nigeria.
“Beginning now, gamers who want to symbolize Nigeria on the U-17 stage have to be actively concerned in native academies and youth groups affiliated with our league sides,” said President Gusau. “This method ensures that we establish and nurture expertise inside our grassroots soccer construction.”
To streamline the choice course of, the NFF will manage a U-17 developmental match in numerous states, offering a platform for proficient younger footballers to showcase their abilities.
President Gusau urged stakeholders and communities to encourage their younger gamers to take part in these native tournaments, emphasizing that this would be the sole avenue for figuring out prospects for the U-17 staff.
“We is not going to contemplate any participant for invitation to Abuja with out their lively participation and proposals from the native match,” President Gusau added, reinforcing the NFF’s dedication to a extra inclusive and grassroots-focused method to expertise identification and improvement.
This transfer aligns with the broader goal of fostering homegrown expertise and selling the expansion of soccer on the grassroots stage in Nigeria.
The NFF’s emphasis on native tournaments and engagement with academies displays a strategic shift towards creating a sturdy basis for Nigerian soccer on the youth stage.
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