Former Golden Eaglets assistant coach, Yemi Olanrewaju, has expressed appreciation for FIFA’s initiative to host the under-17 World Cup annually, emphasizing its significance in elevating youth football globally.
However, Olanrewaju highlighted concerns regarding its impact on African, particularly West African, teams due to inadequate preparation and structural deficiencies.
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“It’s a commendable initiative by FIFA to prioritize youth football development globally,” Olanrewaju acknowledged.
“But unfortunately, I don’t believe it will favour Africa, especially West Africa, given our challenges with preparation.”
Olanrewaju attributed the disparity to the delayed readiness of West African national teams for tournaments and the absence of structured programs to address these issues.
“For us to compete effectively, we need a meticulously structured U-17 program to streamline our preparations,” he asserted.
“Currently, our lack of readiness is evident, with tournaments such as the WAFU B commencing while we’re still in the early stages of training.”
He emphasized the important role of proactive and comprehensive planning by football federations in overcoming these obstacles.
“With better organization and early preparation facilitated by the Federation, we can navigate these challenges more effectively,” Olanrewaju suggested.
“Without such measures in place, our prospects remain uncertain.
Nonetheless, FIFA’s dedication to youth development is commendable and essential for fostering global engagement and talent growth.”
