FIFA U-20 W/Cup: Pressure mounts on Manu Garba to axe Enaholo and co

Over the next couple of days each display by Nigeria’s 2015 U-20 World Cup players will be heavily scrutinized by the country’s technical crew, News24 can report.

Reports from the camp of the team say the technical crew led by Manu Garba are under intense pressure to drop the likes of Joshua Enaholo, Mustapha Abdullahi, Ifeanyi Matthew and Zaharadeen Bello from the starting eleven in the second Group D match against North Korea on Thursday morning at the Stadium Taranaki.

The quartet was below par in the 4-2 loss to Brazil in the first match of the team on Monday morning.

The next couple of days will prove crucial for Coach Manu Garba as he has the biggest task of naming players who should deliver for the reigning African champions.

There are bound to be surprises and criticism over the decision to include certain players in the defeat to Brazil and that perhaps makes the work of the coaches extremely difficult.

There have been massive campaigns in the media to have the coaches change their formation after they decided to switch from their trusted 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-4 pattern against the South Americans, a decision that backfired especially in the second half.

But, a number of players considered as key could miss out of the party with growing competition for places becoming fierce.

The place of number one goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo is in doubt in the must win encounter against North Koreans, as he was blamed for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th goals respectively.

Dele Alampasu cannot be glossed over with Giwa FC goal tender Olorunleke Ojo waiting patiently for his chance.

Izu Omego could gatecrash the starting line up while Manchester City starlet Chidiebere Nwakali is being considered, according to News24 reports.

Mustapha Abdullahi had a poor game by his usual high standard, while Ifeanyi Matthew wasn't effective as the playmaker, leaving room for Manu Garba to axe him in favor of Kingsley Sokari.

Idowu Akinjide is another promising player who could make the starters list as uncertainty hangs over the endurance of Ifeanyi Ifeanyi.

Pundits have also urged the technical crew on the need to field either Taiwo Awoniyi or Isaac Success, so as to create room for either Simon Moses or Godwin Saviour from the flank.

It is believed that coach Manu Garba will ring at least three changes in his starting XI in the match against North Korea due to get underway by 5am Nigerian Time on Thursday.