Nigeria legend Mutiu Adepoju has pushed back against calls for a total revamp of the Flying Eagles squad following their disappointing semi-final exit at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Soccernet.ng reports.
The Flying Eagles looked strong contenders to clinch a record-extending eighth title after defeating defending champions Senegal in the quarter-finals.
But their campaign came to a halt with a narrow 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the last four — a match in which Aliyu Zubairu’s team wasted numerous scoring opportunities.
Nigeria’s U20 side, crowned African champions seven times in the past, last lifted the trophy in 2015 — exactly a decade ago.
The recent disappointment has prompted suggestions from some quarters that the squad, largely composed of home-based talent, needs a complete shake-up.
Advocates for change argue that integrating more foreign-based Nigerian players would enhance the squad's quality.
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But Adepoju, a key figure in Nigeria’s football history, disagrees with the idea of sweeping changes.
“If they (the Flying Eagles) have participated and they have performed very well, why change the team? If there is any addition that is going to improve what they have, there is no problem,” Adepoju told The Telegraph.
“But changing the team totally with players that have not even been tested in the qualifiers, that is not useful to the team, I don’t think it’s right. I believe that if there is an addition, a little addition that will balance or improve on what they have on ground ahead of the World Cup, yes. But changing the team entirely with different players and others, I don’t think that will work.
“The players that have played the AFCON, they’ve been with the coach and they’ve known themselves and they are performing very well as far as qualifying for the World Cup, so why do you have to change them?
“Like I said, there is no need to overhaul the team. Get a few players that are going to add value to the team, then we are good to go. It’s not because somebody is playing in Europe, then you bring him to the team.”
Adepoju insists he is in support of continuity and balance ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup, with the veteran midfielder urging selectors not to undervalue the cohesion and experience already built within the team.
Nigeria will face tournament hosts Egypt in the third-place match on Sunday, while South Africa, buoyed by their win over the Flying Eagles, will take on unbeaten Morocco in the final.
