The Cadet World Cup has reached the semi-final stage, featuring a clash between Nigeria and Sweden, who previously drew 3-3 in the group stage. Additionally, Argentina, victorious over Tunisia, is set to face Mexico in the other semi-final.
Sunday Oliseh, a former Nigeria player and a member of the Technical Study Group (TSG) in the United Arab Emirates, shares his insights as the tournament progresses. Oliseh, a winner of the Olympic tournament in 1996 and part of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, emphasizes the high level of play exhibited by the young talents.
“The level is high,” he notes. “What struck me the most is that most of the selections function like real professional teams. The players are disciplined, everyone stays at their position. In this age category, this is quite unusual. It’s a progression.”
Having participated in the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 1998, Sunday Oliseh remains a legend of African football, and his observations shed light on the evolving standards and professionalism displayed by the youth teams in the ongoing Cadet World Cup.
