Bosso applauds Super Eagles squad as U-20 graduates earn AFCON spots

The inclusion of two former Flying Eagles stars in the Super Eagles list for the Africa Cup of Nations has drawn praise from their former U-20 coach, Ladan Bosso in an exclusive interview with Footy-Arrica.

Bosso, who is currently with Nigeria Premier Football League side Barau Football Club, led an exciting Nigerian U-20 team to the quarter-final of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina in 2023. That team featured the likes of the injured Benjamin Fredrick, Salim Fago Lawal, and Tochukwu Nnadi, among others. They played some exciting football and even defeated hosts Argentina 2-0 in the Round of 16 of the competition.

Two years on, two players from that team have made the final cut for the 2025 AFCON and are set to make their full tournament bow for Nigeria. Bosso, who led the team, is excited about the progress of the lads and has encouraged the Nigerian football authorities to monitor the rest of the squad and be bold in promoting young players from the youth ranks to the main national team.

“I was very happy when I saw the list, especially with the inclusion of two of the players I took to the U-20 World Cup in Argentina, “ Bosso exclusively told Footy-Africa. “Nnadi and Salim are great talents and will be an asset to the team. It could have been three of them, but unfortunately, Benjamin (Fredrick) is injured.”

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“It feels good to see these boys make the progression from the U20 level to the Super Eagles level, and I commend the Nigeria Football Federation for that. They should continue to monitor these players and find the ones doing well to move up the ladder,” he added.

“I am also keen to see Chijioke Aniagboso, the goalkeeper, make the step-up to the next level. He plays in Ukraine now, and even though it isn’t exactly the biggest league around, he is a talent that should be watched and encouraged. I believe he has what it takes to give the other goalkeepers a push.

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Overall, I want to encourage the boys to make use of the opportunity to prove themselves and what they can do. Such chances do not come all the time. If they get to step on the pitch, they should give their best as they always do. Above all, I wish the team all the best in the competition. I hope they can make us proud,” Bosso concluded.