‘SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT’, AMUNEKE EXPLODES

...Reads Riot Act to fledging Eaglets... says no player is guaranteed shirt yet

Felicia Morgan/hotmanpet.blogspot.com

Chief Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke

As the Golden Eaglets intensifies training to defend the U-17 World Cup it won last year, its Chief Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has read a riot act to the players in camp to either shape up or ship out.

The second-phase of the screening is however gathering momentum with hundreds of players battling to make the team.

Media Officer, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, Morakinyo Abodunrin said he issued an ultimatum to players not pulling their weight in the national Under-17 team asking them to either shape up or ship out.

The media officer spoke to the 'Old Boys' who won bronze medals at the recently concluded WAFU B Tournament in Togo along with other prospective player.

Amuneke disclosed that separating of the wheat from the chaff is an ongoing process until a final list is compiled.

The second phase of the screening which started on May 1st has thrown up some new prospects and the fight to be part of the team continues with much intensity even as Amuneke warned for the umpteenth time that nobody is guaranteed a shirt yet.

Amuneke fumed: "I have to be frank with you and the truth is that I'm not happy with some of you because you have forgotten so soon all what we learned in Togo."

"But one thing is clear, those of you who are not ready to play for the team would soon go home."

Meanwhile, the second-phase of screening is gathering momentum with hundreds of players drooping to the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja since the exercise began on Thursday and the drilling would continue throughout this week.

Amuneke said there is a level playing field for all-comers, adding
that the number one consideration for selection is nothing other than merit.

"What we are doing here is very practical and if a player cannot show what he can do in 25 minutes, I don't think he would give anything in 90 minutes," Amuneke further said.

"But I'm very hopeful we would certainly get a group of players that would give us the desired results."

In the meantime, officials disclosed that players coming for the open screening should be ready to cater for their up keep during their stay in Abuja.