Road to AFCON: Golden Eaglets Arrive In Côte d’Ivoire For U-17 Regional Qualifier

Road to AFCON: Golden Eaglets Arrive In Côte d’Ivoire For U-17 Regional Qualifier

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s U-17 men’s national football team, the Golden Eaglets, have departed for Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, to compete in the WAFU B U-17 Championship—a regional qualifier for the 2025 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The five-time world champions head into the tournament with momentum, having played 13 preparatory matches during their training camp. The team recorded 10 wins, two draws, and suffered only one defeat.

Drawn into Group B, Nigeria will face Burkina Faso and Benin Republic in the group stage, with the top two teams progressing to the knockout rounds. The Eaglets begin their campaign against Benin Republic’s Baby Cheetahs on Wednesday, September 24.

Group A consists of host nation Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Niger Republic.

All matches will be played at the Stade du Lycée Scientifique in Yamoussoukro, a natural-grass stadium built for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria U-17 Squad for WAFU B Championship

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)