Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have been given the all-clear to compete at the WAFU-B U17 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire after all 20 squad members passed mandatory MRI age tests.
The medical checks, conducted by Caf officials in Yamoussoukro on Thursday, confirm Manu Garba’s side can feature in the regional qualifiers for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Garba, who famously led Nigeria to U17 World Cup glory in 2013, believes his players are primed for the challenge.
“The boys are ready to shine and make Nigeria proud,” he said. “Our main objective is to qualify for the under-17 AFCON.”
The five-time world champions will open their campaign against Benin Republic on 24 September before facing Burkina Faso in Group B. Hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Niger make up Group A.
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Nigeria’s build-up has been encouraging, with 10 victories from 13 warm-up matches and just five goals conceded. The team, originally preparing in Abeokuta and Ikenne, arrived in Côte d’Ivoire earlier this week and are now based in Yamoussoukro.
Garba, a former youth international himself, is backing his squad to restore Nigeria’s pedigree after the Eaglets failed to qualify for the 2025 edition of the continental tournament.
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Nigeria last won the U17 AFCON in 2007 but remain the most successful side in global under-17 football, with five World Cup titles.
