Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in the Golden Eaglets' ability to excel at the WAFU-B U17 Championship. The tournament begins on Saturday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and serves as a qualifier for next year's U17 Africa Cup of Nations. Olopade visited the team's final training session at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Monday, before their departure for Burkina Faso.
Head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere has named a 25-man squad for the tournament, comprising three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders, and seven forwards. The team will have eight days to work on their tactical and technical conditioning before their opening match on October 14. Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside Niger Republic and hosts Burkina Faso, while Group A features Ghana, Togo, and Benin Republic.
Olopade urged the players to take the task ahead seriously, emphasizing that the government and people of Nigeria want them to succeed. He assured them that they will be graciously rewarded at the end of the tournament. The team's aim is to qualify for the U17 AFCON tournament and subsequently, the FIFA U17 World Cup next year. Nigeria last played at the FIFA U17 World Cup finals in 2019.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission expressed optimism that the team will not disappoint Nigerians. He advised them to play according to what they have learned under the head coach, assuring that they will perform well and qualify for the U17 AFCON. The WAFU-B tournament is a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
The Golden Eaglets departed Nigeria on Tuesday morning and will continue their preparations in Burkina Faso. The team's squad includes Mutiu Adenle, Abdulfatai Seriki, and Richard Oguama as goalkeepers, while Chinedu Nchoje, Goodness Ukwubile, Victor Ogbonna, Daniel Dickson, Chinonso Umenozie, Jamiu Issa, and Daniel Agunzi make up the defensive line.
The midfielders include Israel Irabor, Adewolu Lukman, Izuchukwu Ogboji, Sochima Emeka, Michael Ekundayo, Al-Ameen Adegboya, Saeed Hussaini, and Abubakar Abdulrasaq. The forwards are Godswill Usoro, Daniel Lawrence, Chiedozie Igboenyobe, Faruq Azeez, David Fagbamila, Mubarak Fasiu, and Abiodun John.
The WAFU-B U17 Championship is a significant tournament for the Golden Eaglets, as it serves as a qualifier for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. The team's performance will determine their eligibility for the continental tournament and potentially, the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Key points
- Nigeria's Golden Eaglets will compete in Group B of the WAFU-B U17 Championship alongside Niger Republic and hosts Burkina Faso.
- The team's aim is to qualify for the U17 AFCON tournament and subsequently, the FIFA U17 World Cup next year.
- Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to excel in the tournament.
