Nigerian coach first casualty at youth tournament

Lagos, Nigeria, 13th April '99 -

The Nigerian Football Association (NFA) has sacked Tunde Disu, coach of its team competing at the World Youth Cup soccer tournament. "Tunde Disu is hereby removed from the team with immediate effect," an NFA statement issued on Saturday said. The hosts lost their final Group A game on Saturday to Paraguay 2-1, leaving them with a mathematical chance of progressing into the second round. The first two teams from the six groups and four third best teams qualify for the next stage. The statement said national team coach Dutchman Thijs Libregts would take over the youth team if it proceeded further in the tournament. "Libregts's appointment is immediate and he will oversee all aspects of the team should Nigeria proceed to the second round." Disu is the first coaching casualty of the tournament.