Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have unveiled their final 20-man squad for the WAFU-B U17 Championship as they departed for Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on Wednesday, Footynaija.com reports.
Head coach Manu Garba has settled on a balanced group featuring three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards.
The team heads into the tournament with strong momentum, having wrapped up camp with a solid unbeaten run in their last 12 of 13 preparatory fixtures. Over that spell, they scored 25 times and conceded just five.
The Eaglets will launch their campaign in Group B on 24 September against Benin Republic’s Baby Cheetahs before locking horns with Burkina Faso in their second fixture. With only three teams in the group, every point will be crucial in the race for a semi-final spot.
Group A features hosts Côte d’Ivoire alongside Ghana, Togo, and Niger Republic. All matches will be staged at the newly built Stade du Lycée Scientifique, one of the facilities unveiled during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Originally billed to hold in Nigeria, the tournament was moved to Côte d’Ivoire after venue readiness issues in Abeokuta and Ikenne.
Five-time world champions, Nigeria have missed the last two FIFA U17 World Cups and also failed to qualify for the last edition of the U17 AFCON.
That disappointment has fuelled the hunger in Garba’s squad, who now see this tournament as a vital chance to restore Nigeria’s dominance at youth level.
GOLDEN EAGLETS 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)