Nigeria dismiss U-17 coach Nwosu

Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Lagos

Nigeria's U-17 team won the 2007 World Cup in Korea

Under-17 World Cup hosts Nigeria have sacked their coach Henry Nwosu, six months before the start of the tournament.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nwosu was fired for his team's 'dismal' showing at a recent four-nation tourney in UAE.

NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said: "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 finshed 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.

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.

Meanwhile, the NFF has finally approved plans put together by under-20 coach Samson Siasia for the World Youth Championship later this year.

Siasia plans to camp his team in Europe ahead of the tournament to be held in Egypt in September.

While in Europe, the Flying Eagles are expected to play the United States youth side in an international friendly.

They will also participate in an invitational tournament in Malaysia before heading off to the north African country.

Nigeria, who have finished runners-up twice in the World Youth Championship, will play Spain, Venezuela and Tahiti in Group B.