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Tag: Golden Eaglet

  • WAFU B: Golden Eaglets to undergo compulsory pre-camping MRI test

    WAFU B: Golden Eaglets to undergo compulsory pre-camping MRI test

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF ) has proposed a pre-camping MRI scans for all players to ensure only those within the right age bracket represent the country at the U17 men’s national team, the Golden Eaglets,

    Francis Achi, the team’s media officer said the football body is leaving no margin for errors in order to avoid extensive decimation of the team due to failed MRI tests as in the past.

    “NFF is very serious about selecting players within the age bracket, not only to ensure that many of the selected players come true to ranks but also to avoid previous situations whereby teams got severely depleted after players who had passed the screening exercise were dropped after failing the MRI test,” Achi told PUNCH Sports Extra on Sunday.

    “To this end, every player scouted is mandated to have an MRI scan at designated hospitals approved by the NFF. After that has been done and the player has passed Grades 1–4, he can be allowed to join up with the rest of the team. Even NFF is not accepting Grade 5 because the player will exceed the required age before the FIFA U17 World Cup,” he added.

    ”Players failing the MRI test has been part of  the fabric of the team for several years now, which is why the NFF is assiduously working towards nipping it in the bud this term”

    It would be recalled that In February 2023, three key players who were in Ghana for the WAFU qualifiers failed the age test despite an initial order for all the players in camp to do their own private MRI tests before an official one conducted later by the NFF.

    In 2021, eight key players missed a chance to be part of the team after they failed MRI tests ahead of the U-17 Africa Nations Cup in Morocco.

    In 2013, six players—a goalkeeper, three defenders, and two strikers—failed the test conducted by the Nigerian authority to verify the age of the boys ahead of the FIFA U17 Cup in the UAE. This became imperative for the body in order to avoid the embarrassment witnessed before the African Championship when some players were sent home after an MRI scan revealed they were older than 17.

    However, the Golden Eaglet who are preparing for WAFU B competition coming up in Ghana in May 2024 have been training daily at the FIFA Goal Project pitch at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

    The record five-time world champions have been drawn in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo following the draw conducted on Friday, which also pitches host Ghana against Benin Republic and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A.

    The winner of the WAFU B competition and the runner up will feature at the U-17 AFCON slated to hold later in the eyear in Algeria.

  • Algeria 2023: Peseiro charges Golden Eaglet to grab World Cup ticket

    Algeria 2023: Peseiro charges Golden Eaglet to grab World Cup ticket

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has called on the Golden Eaglets players to go all out to defeat Burkina Faso and earn a World Cup ticket.

    The Eaglet Burkina Faso tie comes up Thursday night at 8pm in Constantine, Algeria.

    The Golden Eaglets and Young Stallions will trade tackles in a quarter-final clash at the ongoing 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.

    Peseiro has sent a message to the youngsters to come out victorious in the contest.

    “Wishing the Nigerian U17 team the very best of luck in their upcoming quarter-finals match against Burkina Faso.

    ”Play with determination and bring home the win, the Portuguese wrote on his Twitter handle.

    The encounter slated for the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers will start at 8pm Nigerian time.

    The winners and three other countries will hoist Africa’s flag at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

  • Algeria 2023: Golden Eaglets to battle Burkina Faso for World Cup ticket

    Algeria 2023: Golden Eaglets to battle Burkina Faso for World Cup ticket

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will trade tackles with the U-17 side of Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals of the 2023 U-17 AFCON in Algeria.

    Burkina Faso came from a goal down to beat defending champions Cameroon 2-1 in their final Group C game on Sunday to initiate a clash with the Golden Eaglet.

    Burkina Faso lost 1-0 to Mali in their first game of the tournament while Cameroon fell 2-0 to the Malians.

    Going into Sunday’s game, a draw would have suited both Burkina Faso and Cameroon to go through to the last eight.

    While the Burkinabes eventually progressed, Cameroon crashed out no thanks to the defeat.

    The Cameroon U-17 side are the defending champions having won the tournament in 2021.

    The Eaglets booked their place into the knockout stage after coming from behind twice to defeat South Africa 3-2 in Saturday.

    Nduka Ugbade side will take on their quarter-final opponent on Thursday, May 11.

    Meanwhile, other quarter-final pairing will see Senegal take on South Africa, Morocco tackle Algeria and Mali battle Congo.

    All four semi-finalist will secure a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup slated for Peru later in the year.

  • Algeria 2023: Morocco pip Eaglets to reach quarter finals

    Algeria 2023: Morocco pip Eaglets to reach quarter finals

    Morocco earned all three points to sail into the quarter-finals of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations as the Golden Eaglets wasted a basketful of opportunities in a match they dominated for large periods in Constantine on Wednesday.

    An own goal by Tochukwu Ogboji as early as the 2nd minute was all the Moroccans, who downed South Africa’s Amajimbo 2-0 on the opening day, needed to make it within a step of booking a spot at this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup.

    As happened in their opening match against Zambia, the Eaglets created chance after chance but pathetically lacked precision in front of goal.

    Abubakar Abdullahi should have done better than balloon the ball skywards after Emmanuel Michael put him through in the 21st minute, and captain Precious Williams also failed to make hay as the North Africans mounted an impregnable rearguard.

    Defender Yahaya Lawali, who was again picked as Man-of-the-Match despite Nigeria’s loss, shot towards the sky with a through ball in the 69th minute. Substitutes Light Eke and Adewale Quadri provided the only real tests for the Moroccan goalkeeper in a frantic second period.

    The Eaglets will now play South Africa on Saturday, and victory is imperative in order to be assured of qualification to the last eight.

  • U-17 AFCON: CAF okays 26 Golden Eaglets players after MRI test

    U-17 AFCON: CAF okays 26 Golden Eaglets players after MRI test

     

    Nigerian Golden Eaglets squad for the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations have all scaled through  the Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) test.

    It was gathered that all the 26 Golden Eaglets players passed the test with relative ease.

    The MRI test is mandatory for all the teams participating in the competition and it is meant to ascertain whether the players fall within the right age category.

    Golden Eaglet Media officer, Francis Achi made it known via his social media account.

    According to Achi, the process of testing the players  only lasted within one hour.

    Meanwhile, the players and their officials have departed for Constantine where they will play all their group games.

    Nduka Ugbade’s side will begin their campaign against Zambia at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine on Sunday.

    The game will kick-off at 5pm Nigerian time.

  • Golden Eaglets arrive Algeria as U-17 AFCON begins on Saturday

    Golden Eaglets arrive Algeria as U-17 AFCON begins on Saturday

    The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have landed in Algeria ahead of 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to start on Saturday.
    The team left Nigeria on Sunday via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and arrived in Algiers, Algeria late Sunday night.
    Francis Achi, media officer of the team, confirmed this via his Facebook page, adding that the team was ready to get the job done.
    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had said that the team was earlier scheduled to go on a training tour of Germany.
    But it shelved this due to visa constraints, opting for the team to arrive in Algeria some days earlier than scheduled ahead of the AFCON for final preparations.
    A total of 26 players, alongside technical crew members will help Nigeria seek qualification to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, by reaching the semi-finals of the event, as well as possibly win the competition.
    The team is in Group B, alongside Morocco, Zambia and South Africa
  • Algeria 2023: Confident Golden Eaglets arrive in Constantine

    Algeria 2023: Confident Golden Eaglets arrive in Constantine

    Five-time world champions Nigeria are scheduled to arrive in the Algerian city of Constantine on Sunday night for their final preparations for this year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

    Following complications that arose in the process of securing entry visa into Germany for a planned final training camp in that country, the Nigeria Football Federation opted to send the squad earlier to Algeria for the final build-up, and Constantine, the renown city where the Eaglets will play Morocco, Zambia and South Africa in Group B, is the choice.

    The wards of FIFA Cadet World Cup -winning captain, Nduka Ugbade, swept all before them to win the WAFU B U17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana 10 months ago, and have put on display tremendous firepower in their preparations for the continental showpiece.

    After resuming camp mid-March following the break for the general elections, the Eaglets played 12 friendly matches at their NFF/FIFA Goal Project, Abuja base, winning 11 of the matches and drawing the other one. They scored a total of 66 goals and conceded 14.

    “We are going to Algeria with confidence but with level heads. We’re the champions of WAFU B, but in essence, nothing has been won. What matters now are winning a ticket to the FIFA World Cup and winning the Africa Cup. I believe we have the boys to do the job,” Ugbade said before the team left Nigeria on Sunday.

    Nigeria will launch her campaign for honours at the 12-team continental championship on Sunday next week, against Zambia at the 22,000 -capacity Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui. They will then take on Morocco and South Africa in other matches in Group B.

    The top four-placed teams in Algeria will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U17 World Cup finals scheduled for later this year.

    THE 26 PLAYERS IN ALGERIA:

    Richard Odoh (HB Football Academy)

    Yahaya Danjuma Lawali (Mahanaim FC)

    Emmanuel Michael (Simon Ben Football Academy)

    Haruna Abdullahi (Kurfi Tigers Academy)

    Tochukwu Joseph Ogboji (Purple Crown Academy)

    Jeremiah Oluwaseyi Olaleke (Ablaze Football Academy)

    Umar Abubakar (Devine Football Academy)

    Abubakar Idris Abdullahi (Jega United)

    Precious Tonye Williams (HB Football Academy)

    Ifeoluwa Adewale Olowoporoku (Triple 44 Academy)

    Charles Adah Agada (Mavlon FC)

    Hope Yusuf Linus (E.E. Sporting Club)

    Jubril Opeyemi Azeez (Right Vision Choice Academy)

    Anongu Isaac Aondoakaa (FC Bathel Sporting)

    Israel Nwachukwu Usulor (Real Sapphire FC)

    Temiloluwa Oluwayimika Adelakin (Box2Box Academy)

    Simon Karshe Cletus (Mavlon FC)

    Tochukwu Simeon Ogbadibo (Jossy United)

    Light Chijioke Eke (C&C Football Academy)

    Favour Oluwasegun Daniel (G12 Football Academy)

    Chijioke Julius Linus (Triple 44 Academy)

    Quadri Oluwatobiloba Adewale (Nathaniel Boys FC)

    Gift Ukeh Adie (Paul E Football Academy)

    Musa Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire FC)

    Usman Ajibola Owoyemi (Triple 44 Academy)

    Matthew Awodi Kingsley (Brook House Academy)

  • Ahmed Musa pumps Eaglets’ spirit with pledge of N.5m per goal in Algeria 2023

    Ahmed Musa pumps Eaglets’ spirit with pledge of N.5m per goal in Algeria 2023

    Super Eagles’ captain, Ahmed Musa was the surprise visitor to the camp of Nigeria’s U17 team, Golden Eaglets at ParkView Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Nigeria’s most capped international admonished the players to endeavour to maintain the rich culture of Nigeria football and also make a name for themselves and their families, adding that he regrets not ever playing for the U17 team in his football trajectory.

    “You have to work hard. Listen and obey your coaches if you want to succeed at this stage of your football. Sometimes, I regret that I never played for the Golden Eaglets. You have to make use of this opportunity. You are not the best in Nigeria. Many players out there are better than you. The only difference is that you have the opportunity.

    “So, you have to work hard. Pray a lot and be determined to make a name for Nigeria and also for yourselves and your families. Do not miss this great opportunity. I was only given five minutes in my debut game for the Super Eagles, but today I am the captain of the team. I never thought I would someday be the captain of the Super Eagles.

    “I promise and I assure you that you will be rewarded with N500,000.00 for every goal scored at the U17 AFCON in Algeria next month. Remember to always play as a team. If you are a defender, play with your mates, same for you that is a midfielder. Do not be selfish as a striker.”

    Musa, who won his 109th cap for the Super Eagles in the 2023 AFCON 1-0 away win over Guinea Bissau in Bissau on Monday, added: “Promise me that you will make Nigerians proud. Football is the only thing that unites our country. Whether you are a Muslim or a Christian does not matter in football. Winning is what Nigerians are looking forward to.

    “So, go to Algeria, conquer and give Nigerians joy,” he said.

  • Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets Massacre Young Strikers 11-1

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets Massacre Young Strikers 11-1

    Football loving fans at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday witnessed massive onslaught, as the Golden Eaglets massacred Young Strikers of Ilesha 11-1.

    The visitors from Osun state went ahead early in the first half against the run of play as a result of defensive error from the Eaglets, but their joy was short-lived when the five-time world champions equalised almost immediately. The rampaging Eaglets took complete control of the game, scoring two more goals to go into the break at 3-1 advantage.

    On resumption, Young Strikers were completely overwhelmed by the enterprising Eaglets as their defence crumbled to eight more goals scored by the most successful National U -17 team in the world to the cheering of the fans.

    Golden Eaglets had earlier subdued P-Sports Academy of Uyo 2-0 in the first friendly game played earlier in the day. It was indeed a great feat as the Eaglets scored 13 goals in two games, conceding just one.

    On Tuesday, Kano Pillars, the former NPFL champions, fell like a pack of cards 3-1 before the Golden Eaglets. In the thrilling encounter, Pillars paraded most players that featured for the team in last season before getting relegated to the second tier Nigeria National League, but they could not withstand the ferocious Eaglets, despite scoring first. Shockingly, Tripple O Academy of Kaduna defeated Golden Eaglets 2-1, while the team also recorded a 6-4 loss to Derby Football Academy of Abuja.

    Golden Eaglets have played 10 friendly games since they resumed camping last month. The team has won eight and lost two, scored 47 goals and conceded 13 goals in the process.

  • Sports Minister Sunday Dare hosts victorious Golden Eaglets

    Sports and Youth Development Minister, Honourable Sunday Dare has heaped plaudits on the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for making merit and competence its watchwords in selection of coaches for the age-grade National Teams, as agreed with the Ministry, and which has started to bear fruits with excellent performances at U20 and U17 levels of recent.

     Dare made this pronouncement on Tuesday while hosting players and officials of the U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets to a reception following their victory at the WAFU B U17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana.

     “I want to give credit to the NFF for implementing the cardinal principles that we agreed at meetings on youth football development. Now, we can see that the emphasis on merit and competence has started to bear fruits. The U17 and U20 girls have qualified for their FIFA World Cup competitions with aplomb and the U17 and U20 boys have won regional tournaments in emphatic manner, with promises of what we can look forward to at their African championships next year.

     “Our hard focus on grassroots development in all sports will continue. I congratulate the players and their coaches of the Golden Eaglets for winning so convincingly in Ghana and I want to charge you to remain focused for the continental championship in order to get the ticket to the World Cup. For you players, you must stay humble, hardworking and obedient to your coaches.”

     On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar warned the players against allowing distractions from all manner of agents and player-managers, and rather be dedicated to impr oving their craft with temperance, endurance and a level head.

     NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi introduced each player and team official for special handshake with the Honourable Minister, stating that Head Coach Nduka Ugbade was the captain of the first Nigeria team to win the FIFA Cadet World Cup, and was also assistant coach to Manu Garba when Nigeria triumphed in the United Arab Emirates in 2013. “He is also a global consultant on football science.”

     Ugbade hailed the event as “a special occasion” and said the team is encouraged to do its utmost to continue to bring honour to the nation, first by putting up a stellar outing at the U20 AFCON in Algeria and then going on to hold its own at the FIFA World Cup finals in Peru.

     Also at the occasion were President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel; Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye; NFF’s Director of Communications, Mr Ademola Olajire; Director of Facilities in the Ministry, Mr Olatunji Okedairo and; special assistants to the Honourable Minister, Ms Mary Onyali and Messrs Toyin Ibitoye and Kola Adeyanju.