The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has named Manu Garba as head coach of the Golden Eaglets and Moses Aduku as the new coach of the Falconets.
The appointments, approved by the NFF Executive Committee and recommended by its Technical and Development Sub-Committee, come as both teams prepare for key international fixtures in September.
Garba’s return is particularly symbolic. The former U17 boss, who guided Nigeria to FIFA U17 World Cup triumph in 2013, recently criticised the decline of youth football under former NFF President Amaju Pinnick.
In an interview with The Nation in April 2025, Garba pointed to the removal of match bonuses and inadequate preparation as core issues that crippled Nigeria’s once-successful U17 teams.
“The removal of match bonuses for age-grade teams by Amaju Pinnick did more harm than good,” Garba said.
Manu Garba. Photo Credit: X
“The 2013 and 2015 World Cup-winning teams had proper camping and motivation. That has been missing.”
READ MORE: wafcon-final-preview-nigeria-aim-for-redemption-morocco-chase-history
Garba also led the team to the 2019 U17 World Cup in Brazil and is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful youth coaches.
Meanwhile, Moses Aduku, who replaces Chris Danjuma as Falconets boss, is no stranger to the setup.
Moses Aduku of Edo Queens. Photo Credit: X
He has managed top women’s sides like Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens, and was part of the coaching crew when the Falconets reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Both men officially resume on Sunday as preparations ramp up for September competitions the Golden Eaglets will compete in the WAFU B U17 tournament, hosted in Nigeria, while the Falconets take on Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
