CAF to decide on Nigeria U-17 AFCON spot after WAFU B semi-final defeat to Ivory Coast

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to determine whether the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria can still participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) youth tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.

Following a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast in the semi-final of the WAFU B tournament, Nigeria’s chances of participating in the next World Cup and the AFCON youth tournament were jeopardized.

Initially, two teams were expected to qualify from each zonal qualifier organized by CAF. However, there is anticipation of an increase in the number of teams for the U-17 AFCON, potentially expanding from 16, following FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 32 teams.

According to U-17 media officer Francis Achi, the expansion is still under consideration, and the African football body will announce its decision this week.

Meanwhile, Manu Garba’s squad will face Ghana’s Black Starlets in the third-place playoff of the WAFU B U-17 Championship at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

After the semi-final loss to Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria aims to secure third place amidst the uncertainty about the number of teams advancing to the AFCON.

The third-place match is scheduled to begin at 4 PM Nigeria time, followed by the final between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire at 7 PM.