On Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a positive development for the Nigerian team. All 20 Nigerian Golden Eaglets successfully passed the mandatory MRI tests, validating the pre-departure tests conducted by the Nigeria Football Federation.
This ensures that the entire squad is eligible to compete and defend the title they claimed last year in Ghana.
Reacting to the news, a delighted coach Manu Garba expressed his satisfaction, as quoted by Premium Times:
“We are happy about the results. Having the whole squad available for the tournament puts our minds at rest. The players have been responding well to training, and the weather here is similar to what we experienced in Abuja. Our primary objective is to secure one of the two tickets to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. We will take it one match at a time, starting with our opening game against Burkina Faso on Thursday.”
Nigeria's Golden Eaglets ready WAFU B championship title defense in Ghana
Nigeria's U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, are poised to begin their title defense as the West African Football Union (WAFU) B U-17 Championship kicks off in Accra, Ghana.
This year's tournament carries immense significance for the young Nigerian squad, determined to reclaim regional glory and potentially reach a historic sixth world title.
The Eaglets, boasting a prestigious legacy as five-time world champions, dominated the 2022 edition in Kumasi, Ghana. Now, they return to the scene of their prior triumph, aiming to defend the WAFU B title and secure qualification for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite their regional success last year, the team's performance at the subsequent U-17 AFCON in Algeria fell short, failing to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.
This experience has ignited a burning desire within the squad and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to reclaim continental dominance. To achieve this goal, the NFF reinstated the highly respected 2013 FIFA World Cup-winning coach, Manu Garba, to lead the team.
Steering through Group B
Coach Garba's immediate challenge lies in navigating Group B, which features Burkina Faso, Niger Republic, and Togo. The ultimate objective is to secure qualification for next year's U-17 AFCON, a crucial stepping stone on the path to the global stage.
However, the pressure extends beyond mere qualification. The technical crew faces the dual challenge of defending the regional crown and nurturing the squad's talent for a successful showing at both the U-17 AFCON, and hopefully, the next FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Opening match and tournament schedule
The Eaglets' title defence commences on Thursday 16 May, with a crucial face-off against Burkina Faso at the University Stadium in Accra. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM Ghana time (4:00 PM Nigeria time). Subsequent matches will see them take on Niger Republic on Sunday 19 May (6:00 PM Ghana time, 7:00 PM Nigeria time) at the University Stadium, and Togo on Wednesday 22 May (4:00 PM Ghana time, 5:00 PM Nigeria time) at the Accra Sports Stadium.
This year's WAFU B tournament features seven teams: Benin, host nation Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Niger, Togo, and Nigeria. However, only one team from the zone will have the privilege of progressing to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which acts as the qualifier for the prestigious FIFA U-17 World Cup.
