Nigeria U17 Full List – Why Nephew Of Ex Sports Minister Solomon Dalung Was Dropped But Son Of DSS Boss Picked

The 21 man list of the Nigeria U17 team for the U-17 World Youth Championship was yesterday made public by coach of the team Manu Garba ahead of their first game of the tournament in about a week time against Honduras.

In the list was the son of the Director-General of the Department of State Services ( DSS) in Nigeria Yusuf Bichi Magaji. His son Abba Bichi made the list despite his late invitation to the team but according to a team source he made the team entirely on his performance and conduct.

” His level is almost same with the other guys in the team. Forget about his father’s position in the Nigerian government. He earned his spot on merit. Everybody likes him because of his manners. Well cultured in his conduct. He pick balls, water bottles and other training stuff after training without been told. I have never seen the child of a wealthy man who behave this decent’, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

One player who failed to make the cut is the nephew of the former minister for Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung. Daniel Dalung a centre defender who has been with the team for a while was dropped as coach Manu Garba settled for five others in defence. Owngoalnigeria.com gathered that his axing has nothing to do with the removal of his uncle as the minister for Youth and Sports.

” Daniel is a fantastic defender but if you check only five defenders were picked and the reason is because they all can play all positions across the back four. Unfortunately Daniel is only comfortable as a central defender, that was the primary reason why he was dropped not because his uncle is no longer the minister for sports in Nigeria “.