AfricaNews editors
Nigeria sacked its national under-17 coach Henry Nwosu six months before the start of the tournament in the West African country. Media reports quoted officials of the Nigeria Football Federation saying Nwosu was fired for his team's 'dismal' performance at a recent four-nation tourney in UAE.
NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said on BBC sports: "The decision to sack him came from the technical committee of the NFF. The committee recommended his sacking after the dismal showing of his team."
The Golden Eaglets finished third at the tournament in Dubai after losing 2-0 to South Korea, drawing 1-1 with the host nation before beating Zambia 3-1. Nwosu's assistant Monday Odigie replaces him on a temporary basis until a permanent coach is named, the report added.
The report said even though a substantive coach has not been found, Kadiri Ikhana, Daniel Amokachi and former African Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Amuneke are among the names tipped to take over.
The world under-17 title holders are under pressure to host and successfully defend their title. The Golden Eaglets won the title two years ago in Korea, but so far preparations have been anything but satisfactory.
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