Determined to restore the country’s lost glory and reposition Nigeria at the pinnacle of youth football globally, Chuks Akuneto believes the National U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, will be transformed into a talent production hub, if he gets the job.
Akuneto stated that incoming Super Eagles manager won’t have to comb Europe in search of talents because his Golden Eaglets would turn out to be the production hub for talented players that would easily metamorphose into the senior side just like Victor Osimhen and others.
Speaking from his base in Manchester, the Oldham FC U-19 gaffer hinged his submission on his wealth of experience as a youth coach, which has seen him manage top sides and win laurels at ease. He added that it is about time Nigeria reap from his players’ developmental skills.
“I’m interested in managing the National U-17 team. I have applied for the job while I wait for the due process to take its course,” he said.. “I have got lots of knowledge, experience, and qualifications when it comes to age-grade football. More importantly, my hunger pang is geared towards changing the fortune of cadet football in Nigeria. We have never lacked personnel and talents but the missing link has been the slow progression of players from the youth sides to the senior side. That will only happen when you work more in developing the players first right from Golden Eaglets. That is when the Super Eagles can have that pool of talented stars to pick from.
“I want to do something for my country. That is why I’m putting myself and my services forward to the Glass House if they think I’m that person that they want to employ to change the face cadet football around in the country,” he said.
