Duro Ikhazuagbe 

The stocks of Nigerian youngster, Ebenezer Harcourt, have continue to grow as former English Premier League giants, Manchester United,  are planning to send their top scouts to spy on him in action as the U20 World Cup kicks off Saturday in Chile.

The 15-year-old goalkeeper got his break when featuring for the Nigerian Home-based Eagles in final group match of their fiasco adventure in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Zanzibar mid year. 

Harcourt was subsequently listed in Super Eagles provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa.

 But as Flying Eagles No 1 goalkeeper at the U20 World Cup in Chile, it will be the perfect opportunity for the Red Devils scouts to have thorough assessment of his capabilities.

Harcourt made history with Sporting Lagos when they won the Gothia Cup in Sweden in their inaugural appearance and he also made the CAF Best XI for the 2025 U20 AFCON in Egypt.

Manchester United’s Cameroonian first choice keeper, Andre Onana, is on loan with Turkish Super Lig club side Trabzonspor.

The loan move became necessary to relieve him of the role at Old Trafford following several gaffes last season, thereby leading United to finish the season poorly.

Apart from the Nigerian youngster, United are also reported to be on the trail of another young goalkeeper, Charlie Hardy, 16, from Derby County.

Hardy has played five times for England’s U16  and is going through formalities  to complete a move to Manchester United.

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles arrived in the city of Talca yesterday afternoon ahead of their participation in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals. Group F games involving Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Colombia will take place in Talca.

The two-time World Cup runners-up were received by officials of FIFA and the Local Organizing Committee, as well as officials of the hotel. The team later trained in the evening.

The Flying Eagles are lodged at Hotel Diego de Almagro in Talca. 

The team wrapped up a 12-day training camp in Santiago, where they played host nation Chile and Australia as part of the build-up to the FIFA U20 World Cup, which kicks off on Saturday, 27th September.

NFF: No Plans to Amend Statutes at 2025 Annual General Assembly

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has insisted that it is not planning to amend its Statutes at the Annual General Assembly scheduled to begin tomorrow in Ibadan.

In a press statement issued in reaction to the petition filed by former President of Nigeria’s Players’ Union, Prince Harrison Jalla to FIFA, NFF’s Director of Communication, Dr Ademola Olajire, said: “For the avoidance of doubt, there are no plans to amend the NFF Statutes at the 2025 Annual General Assembly, scheduled for 27 September 2025. Any suggestions to the contrary are unfounded.

“As part of standard procedure, a workshop will take place on 26 September 2025 with the participation of officials from delegates representing the Members of the NFF as well as FIFA and CAF officials. 

“The purpose of this forum is to deliberate proposals for new NFF Statutes, in line with the principles of good governance and international best practices

recommended by FIFA and CAF. It is important to emphasize that this consultation process is still at an early stage. Only after a common direction is agreed upon with NFF Members may a General Assembly be convened specifically to consider and adopt the proposed Statutes,” the statement noted.

The NFF reaffirms its commitment to working closely with its General Assembly Members, as well as with FIFA and CAF, to ensure that all processes related to its Statutes are conducted with due process, transparency, and full adherence to global best practices.

“Ultimately, the objective of this process is to establish robust and enduring Statutes that will strengthen governance within the Federation and enhance, among other things, the representation and participation of stakeholders across NFF bodies. This long-term framework is aimed at ensuring stability, inclusivity, and progress for Nigerian football,” the statement concluded.

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