Five –time world champions, Nigeria flew out of Abuja on Wednesday on their way to Tanzania to take part in the 13th Africa U17 Cup of Nations taking place in that country, 14th – 28th April.
Players and officials were seen off at the airport by Acting President of NFF, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who charged them to do the nation proud by lifting the U17 AFCON trophy in Dar es Salaam on 28th April.
The Golden Eaglets secured their ticket to Tanzania after winning the WAFU B U17 Tournament in Niger Republic in September last year, and will be aiming to be one of Africa’s four flag-bearers at the FIFA U17 World Cup finals now scheduled for Brazil later this year.
Nigeria, Africa’s U17 football powerhouse, edged fellow juggernauts Ghana on penalties in Niamey to secure their slot in Tanzania, and are in the same Group A as hosts Tanzania, Uganda and Angola.
Tanzania made their way into the draw automatically as hosts, while Uganda won the Central East zonal finals held in Tanzania in August last year, and Angola triumphed at the COSAFA U17 Tournament in Mauritius a month earlier.
Nigeria is making her 9th appearance in this competition, having won it twice previously (Seychelles 2001 and Togo 2007), while Tanzania is making a second appearance. Angola is making a fourth appearance, but it is a first –ever appearance at this level for Uganda.
Cameroon, Guinea, Senegal and Morocco make up Group B. Both Cameroon and Guinea are appearing for the 7th time at the U17 AFCON, while Morocco and Senegal are both appearing for the second time.
The Eaglets will take on their Tanzanian counterparts in Sunday’s tournament opener at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam. An interesting variable in Sunday’s equation is the fact that Nigeria legend Emmanuel Amuneke, who is head coach of the Tanzania National Team, Taifa Stars (and recently qualified the Stars for a first –ever AFCON finals after 39 years) also oversees the other National Teams of Tanzania and would be involved in their technical preparation.
Amuneke is highly familiar with the Nigeria bench, which has Manu Garba as head coach and Nduka Ugbade as one of the assistants. When Manu Garba led the Golden Eaglets to win the FIFA U17 World Cup for the fourth time in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, Amuneke and Ugbade were his assistants.
Two years later, in Chile, Amuneke was the head coach as Nigeria won a fifth title at that level.
After Sunday’s encounter, the Eaglets will tackle Angola on Wednesday, 17th April and confront Uganda on Saturday, 20thApril.
21 EAGLETS FOR U17 AFCON FINALS
Sunday Stephen, Shedrack Tanko, Ogaga Oduko, Samson Okikiola Tijani, Clement Chigozie Ikenna, David Akulo Ishaya, Olakunle Junior Olusegun, Mayowa David Abayomi, Wisdom Ubani, Adrian Akande, Mubaraq Gata Adeshina, Shuaib Abdulrazaq, Akinkunmi Ayobami Amoo, Olatomi Alfred Olaniyan, Charles Etim, Suleman Shaibu, Peter Agba, Divine Nwachukwu, Ibraheem Olalekan Jabaar, Fawaz Abdullahi, Ayomide Oluwabusola
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COMMENTS
Good luck boys.
Go for Glory
God bless Nigeria.
Even though they say we cant tell true ages with the eyes…however, we can tell these kids look like the children of our U20 team and not like their immediate younger brothers. Thanks to FIFA for the MRI initiative. Nigeria indeed in the biggest beneficiary. Go go Eaglets…!
We trust the MRI scan machine than a mare face look to determine the true age of the kid players. Nigerians will prevail over their opponents in this particular areas in world football. History is on our side. No Nation has won this Cup more than Nigeria on the Planet. Every body knows it, the FIFA knows it. When Nigeria arrives in the scene, the World stands up to respect when it comes to this area of World football. Amen ?, Amen.
All of these argument about over-age is baseless. Fifa MRI test is there to verify. We should just sit back n enjoy. I feel a bit let down Omidji lateef didn’t make it but Manu to me will take him if he is a better option. But we should all stand by him n support him, as he could have been devastated not making the team especially considering how his name was being echoed all over the place. I have seen his video, n can tell has d potential to become a really great player. He should just stay strong n know that Diego amando Maradona failed to make 1978 world but went on to become the best player the world has ever seen. LATEEF OMIDJI REMEMBER THIS n mark this day, the meaning of your name shall translate into goals, goals n multiple of goals, God bless you.