NFF won't disband Flying Eagles, says Akinwumi

.Says Technical Committee will determine Amuneke's fate

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described the Flying Eagles as the future of Nigeria football despite their failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Youth Championship in Zambia. Nigeria lost to the national U-20 team of Sudan on an away goal rule.

Nigeria defeated Sudan by 2-1 in Kathoun fortnight ago but failed to capitalise on the advantage and lost by 3-4 in a return leg at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Saturday.

The NFF Vice-president Seyi Akinwumi in a post match interview said the federation will keep and nuture them to be the best for the country.

"It was unfortunate that it happened the way the game went. The boys tried their best and we should encourage them rather than criticise them. I don't think anything is wrong with the team it was just one of the thing that happened in football.

“These boys have played so many matches and they won. I can say that these boys are the future of Nigeria football and we will do everything we could in ensuring that this generation does not waste away.  I was with the boys when they came and we were confident that we will not play draw to qualify but outright win. It is easy to blame anything.

“The boys could have won the game but it was one of those things in football. I told them in the dressing room that they have every right to be disappointed in themselves but they must stand up and rise again. Nigeria should not castigate them but encourage them. This is work in progress and everybody here knows that they tried their best and they are the future of the Nigerian Football," Akinwumi said.

On the future of the team's technical crew, Akinwumi said the federation Technical Committee will decide their fate.

"In my own opinion, there is nothing wrong with the technical crew but their future will be decided by the technical committee. This is the same technical crew that has been winning tournaments for the country but it was unfortunate that it happened like that today. We will allow the technical committee to do their job," he said.