Abeokuta: A former NFA Technical Director, Chief Kasimawo Laloko, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to disband the U-17 national team.

Laloko, who said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abeokuta, noted that there would be chaos if the team was disbanded and the coach changed.

“As they are now, the best thing is not to disband them; don’t go and disband or go and change the coach.

“If you change the coach, it is the beginning of the problem of the team because I understand that as at yesterday or something or today or tomorrow, they are going to interview three coaches.

“They are interviewing people, who only played for Nigeria; who are not qualified to coach anybody.

Laloko, director of the Pepsi Football Academy was also of the opinion that if left intact the U-17 squad would represent Nigeria at the World Cup.

The Golden Eaglets are participants at the ongoing 9th edition of the Pepsi U-17 International Football tournament in Abeokuta.

The team, described as the best by football fans, won two matches against the Pepsi Football Academy II, 3-2 and Liberty Professionals of Ghana, 1-0.

They also drew 1-1 with the Riverlane FC of Enugu to enter the semi-final stage of the competition but lost to Sia One FC of Abuja 0-2.

Reacting to the issue of overage players participating in the tournament, Laloko submitted that the problem of overage players was not peculiar to Nigeria rather, it was an African problem.

He said that the objective of the tournament had not been defeated and that the competition would be made better by organising it thrice annually for proper development of the game.

“We are also looking for ways of doing it; maybe about three times in a year with different teams so that we can really have proper development.

Laloko said that the NFF should encourage the academies so as to improve the game of football. (NAN)