I’ve picked best 23 NPFL stars for tour of Spain — Yusuf
Ahead of today’s unveiling of final list of 23 players for the playing tour of Spain, Coach of the NPFL Stars team, Salisu Yusuf has said he settled for the best out of the 37 players who were invited to camp.
In a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, Yusuf who doubles as Super Eagles Chief Coach said he was confident that the players would give a good account of themselves in Spain in August.
He said after intensive training in Abuja, he submitted to the League Management Company the list of players who had shown in words and deeds that they are good enough for the La Liga challenge.
Yusuf also said he is confident that LMC would okay the list he submitted for vetting before today’s announcement.
“I have done my own beat. I have submitted the list of 23 players to the LMC. The asked for the best 23 out of the 37 players in camp and that was exactly what I did.
“I picked the best 23 and I am confident they will give a good account of themselves in Spain.
“When we return on Monday, it will be to round up preparations for takeoff. The players are all enthusiastic. They see the trip as an opportunity to market themselves in Europe,” he said.
Yusuf however noted that in case of last minute withdrawals, there will be no problem as most of the 37 players were issued visas and would come in as replacement.
The coach was reacting to reports that a club like Enyimba with seven players in the NPFL stars camp want their stars for the CAF Champions League clash with Zamalek in Egypt on August 14.
He said “There is no problem. If the LMC decides to yield to their request, there are other players on standby. It would be a matter of just asking those with visas to come and take their places. “In anything you want to do, there must be plan B. So there is nothing to worry about. Like I said I have a formidable team for the tour,” he noted.
The NPFL Stars are scheduled to embark on a playing tour of Spain in August which is one of the benefits of the newly signed partnership between La Liga and the LMC.