Siasia yet to name captain

Flying Eagles coach, Samson Siasia is still being secretive about the his choice of captain for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, less than a week to the games in Egypt. The competition begins next Wednesday but our players do not know who wears the armband when they file out for their first game against Venezuela on September 25.

AS Monaco of France midfielder, Lukman Haruna captained the team at the African Youth Championship earlier in the year in Rwanda, where they won the bronze medal under coach Ladan Bosso.

But Siasia faulted Haruna’s attitude and leadership qualities when he became the coach in May and declared publicly he had not decided on who will lead his own new side.

The former Golden Eaglets skipper’s future in the Flying Eagles was doubtful during the World Cup build up but Siasia eventually included him in his World Cup squad.

In the dark

“We don’t have a captain yet and we don’t really know who will be given the task,” said midfielder Sunday Abe from the team’s training camp in Mallorca, Spain.

His teammate, Yakubu Alfa also confirmed the situation but insists the spirit in camp is very high ahead of the World Cup.

“The captain has not been made known to us but we are not really bothered about that. We are working together here and all we are concerned about is to excel in Egypt.”

Haruna, as well as the duo of Rabiu Ibrahim and Alfa are in contention for the captaincy, while Odion Ighalo and Sone Aluko will also be considered for the duty.

Fasting in camp

Meanwhile Helsingborg of Sweden ace, Alfa reveals that Siasia has not prevented his players from observing the Ramadan fasting.

“Some of us are observing the fasting and we have not been compelled not to observe it. Of course I am fasting and it has not really affected me. I don’t think it’s a problem,” he said.

The Flying Eagles will leave today for Egypt via Barcelona.