The Nigeria Football Federation has risen in strong defence of Flying Eagles coach John Obuh whose team failed to defend the African Youth championship trophy in Algeria.

After the Flying Eagles fell 2-0 to Egypt Tuesday, leader of delegation and member of the executive committee of the NFF, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh told Sports Vanguard that all the team need was fresh additions in the attack.

“You saw the match yourself, the players played well but in every match there must be a winner and a loser. But how well you play is seen from how many goals you score.

It was unfortunate that the players did not convert their chances as the Egyptians who had three chances and converted two.”

He pointed out that what worked against the Flying Eagles in their match with Egypt was the individual play of some players. “Instead of them to play as a team everybody wanted to play and score, seeking individual glory.

There is need to inject new players into the team before the World Cup because right now this crop of players cannot achieve much if the team remains the same.”

On coach Obuh, he said, “Coach John Obuh and his crew have done very well in their assignment. He is an experienced coach. He was with the Nigeria U-17 team when we hosted the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup and he did very well by taking them to the final. He was asked to handle the U-20 for continuity.

He qualified the country for the U-20 World Cup in Columbia, went there and did well. That is why we gave him the job again. Obuh won the AYC in South Africa last time out and has again qualified us for the World Cup. I think he has done well. For continuity he has to be there for the World Cup”