Nigeria’s U17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, have confirmed their final squad list as they jet out on Wednesday for the WAFU-B U17 Championship in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, Soccernet.ng reports.
Head coach Manu Garba has trimmed his camp to 20 players: three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards will make the trip as Nigeria chase regional glory.
The Eaglets rounded off their build-up with a goalless draw against Mop Stars FC, but the bigger picture shows a side in form. Across 13 friendlies in camp, they recorded 10 wins, two draws, and just one loss, netting 25 goals while conceding only five.
Group B will see Nigeria begin their title bid against Benin Republic’s Baby Cheetahs on 24 September, followed by a clash with Burkina Faso. There are only three teams in Group B.
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Hosts Côte d’Ivoire headline Group A alongside Niger Republic, Ghana, and Togo. All matches will be staged at the Stade du Lycée Scientifique, one of the new facilities built for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The competition was originally scheduled to hold in Nigeria, with Abeokuta’s MKO Abiola Stadium and the Remo Stars ground in Ikenne earmarked as venues. However, delays in renovation at Ikenne forced the WAFU-B council to shift hosting rights to Côte d’Ivoire.
The Golden Eaglets, five-time FIFA U17 World Cup winners, are eager to restore their dominance in youth football.
Nigeria have missed the last two editions of the U17 World Cup and failed to qualify for the 2025 U17 AFCON. That painful recent history adds extra motivation as Garba’s youngsters seek redemption in Côte d’Ivoire.
GOLDEN EAGLES FOR WAFU-B U17 BOYS TOURNAMENT
Goalkeepers: Aquila Ahur (Mailantarki FC); Great Edafe (Beyond Limits); Paul Awelewa (Morak FC)
Defenders: Abdullateef Lasisi (La Planet); Mubarak Rasheed (RFO FC); Sadiq Salihu (Niger Tornadoes); Godwin Menyaga (Adoration FC); Abdulsamad Salisu (Central FC); Emmanuel Asika (Mailantarki FC)
Midfielders: Paul Ugwu (RBM FC); Famous Umole (Derby FC); David Edeh (Adoration FC); Umar Yahaya (Footwork FC); Ahmed Yusuf (One-Touch FC)
Forwards: Wisdom Innocent (Wonderland FC); George Agha (Unique & Fine FC); Boluwatife Thompson (Breeders FC); Emeka Nnalue (Collins FC); Salim Umar (Dante FC); Auwal Muhammad (36 Lions)
