It remains unclear whether Nigeria men’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, will be a part of the 2025 U-17 AFCON which will also serve as qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar as the Confederation of African Football is yet to decide on the number of slots for each zone in the zonal qualifiers,
The Golden Eaglets were beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the WAFU B zone on Saturday, dashing the hopes of Manu Garba’s side of advancing to the U-17 AFCON as one of the finalists in the zonal qualifiers.
Garba’s team are now clinging to a tiny of expansion by CAF, with the continent’s football governing body still mum on the decision.
Two teams were expected to qualify from each zonal qualifier organised by CAF, but many followers are expecting a change in the number of teams for the U-17 AFCON to be increased from 16 after FIFA has also expanded the World Cup to 32 teams.
Following their defeat on Saturday in Accra, media officer of the team, Francis Achi noted, “Lifeline for Golden Eaglets. It is likely that three teams will qualify from WAFU Zone B for the U-17 AFCON. There is still all to play for in the third-place game against Ghana.
“CAF will confirm in the coming days if three or four teams will qualify from WAFU B,” he added.
Ahead of their third-place game on Tuesday against hosts Ghana who were also beaten 2-1 by Burkina Faso, head coach Garba also dropped a glimmer of hope.
“There is a plan for everything in life because with God we have trust in him. We appreciate your support. All the boys are saying a big thanks for you guys support once again.
“We go again for the third place with Ghana. Your support will go a long way for the third place.”
Meanwhile, 1993 U-17 World Cup winner, Festus Odini, has blamed the team’s inability to make the final and its potential damage on age-grade football on lack of adequate preparation.
“Everything is down to the schedule for the preparation. The team didn’t use up to a month together before the tournament and look at the issues of MRI they had too,” Odini told our correspondent.
“That is what is affecting us. There should be proper and adequate preparations for teams like this. I remember during our time, there were bunch of talents in camp for almost a year before some of us joined as additions.”
Aside from the expected decision on the number of slots for the U-17 AFCON, CAF is also expected to make decisions on the schedule of the 2024 WAFCON as well as the 2025 AFCON.
