The decision by the coach Manu Garba led technical crew of the Nigeria U17 to drop David Uduko from the list of players for the 2019 U-17 World Youth Championship came as a surprise to many who have been following the team.
Udoko is one of the longest serving players in the team as he has been with them for the past 18 months, infact he has played in all of the tournament they have played since they were assembled by the technical crew.
He made the left fullback slot of the team his own with his ability to defend and also join the attack as seen in the four tournaments the team played in the build up to the World Youth Championship, however he wasn’t included in the 21 man list for the tournament.
Speaking to Owngoalnigeria.com shortly after the decision to drop him, Oduko revealed he was disappointed not to make the squad but reckoned it’s will not determine the success of his career and wish the team well at the championship.
” First of all I want to thank the coaches for the putting me in the 30 man list. I am dropped but it’s not the end of the world. I just have to push and push because many who played in the U17 World Cup have clubs while some don’t have but I played Nations Cup and by the grace of God, the future is bright. I am going higher “, Oduko told Owngoalnigeria.com.
Speaking further he said he believe the players picked can lift the tournament if they played to their potential and he wished them all the best of luck. He later revealed that he has interest from teams in Belgium, Spain and England but delayed in making a decision thinking he will be at the World Youth Championship.
