World Cup winner gets the nod as NFF appoints new coaches for Golden Eaglets, Falconets

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointments of Manu Garba and Moses Aduku as head coaches of the Golden Eaglets and Falconets respectively.

Following his time with the team last year, Garba’s return to the U17 national team marks his third stint in charge of the Golden Eaglets.

The highly respected tactician famously guided Nigeria to U17 World Cup glory in 2013 and U20 Africa Cup of Nations trophy two years later to cement his legacy as one of the most successful youth coaches on the continent.

His reappointment was approved by the NFF Executive Committee based on recommendations from the Technical and Development Sub-Committee.

In addition to his 2013 triumph in the United Arab Emirates, Garba also led Nigeria to the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil and has consistently nurtured talents who have gone on to represent Nigeria at senior level.

His latest mission will be to guide the Golden Eaglets through the upcoming WAFU B U17 tournament, which Nigeria will host later this year. The Nigeria U17 squad failed to impress at the National Sports Festival early this year. 

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On the women’s front, Moses Aduku takes the reins as the new head coach of the Falconets, Nigeria’s U20 women’s national team.

Aduku replaces Chris Danjuma, who oversaw the team’s run at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

Aduku, currently head coach of Edo Queens, has a strong résumé in women’s football. He previously managed Bayelsa Queens and has served as an assistant coach with the Falconets, including during their 2022 quarter-final finish at the U20 World Cup in Costa Rica.

Both coaches are set to officially assume duties this weekend as preparations begin in earnest.

The Falconets face Rwanda in a crucial 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying match in September, while the Golden Eaglets will aim to reclaim regional dominance at the WAFU B tournament, also set for September.