- The Golden Eaglets’ participation in the 2025 U-17 AFCON is uncertain due to CAF’s pending decision on zonal qualifier slots.
- Hopes remain due to speculation about increased qualifying spots from potential CAF expansion
- Former U-17 World Cup winner Festus Odini blamed the team’s struggles on lack of preparation.
Eko Hot Blog reports that The participation of Nigeria’s U-17 men’s team, the Golden Eaglets, in the 2025 U-17 AFCON, which doubles as qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, is uncertain.
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This is because the Confederation of African Football has not finalized the allocation of slots for each zone in the zonal qualifiers.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in the semi-finals of the WAFU B zone.
Extinguishing their hopes of advancing to the U-17 AFCON as one of the finalists in the zonal qualifiers.
Manu Garba’s team now relies on a slim chance of expansion by CAF, as the continent’s football governing body has yet to make a decision.
Initially, two teams were anticipated to qualify from each zonal qualifier organized by CAF.
However, many followers speculate a potential alteration in the number of teams for the U-17 AFCON.
Hence, possibly increasing from 16, especially after FIFA 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.
“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.”
He said further, “We believe in having a plan for everything in life, trusting in God along the way.
We deeply appreciate your support. The boys extend their heartfelt thanks for your ongoing encouragement.
“We’re gearing up for the third-place match against Ghana. Your support will mean a great deal in our quest for victory.”
Meanwhile, Festus Odini, a member of the 1993 U-17 World Cup-winning team, has attributed the Golden Eaglets’ failure to reach the final and the potential harm to age-grade football to insufficient 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 Punch 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.”
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In addition to the anticipated decision regarding the number of slots for the U-17 AFCON, CAF is also expected to finalize decisions regarding the schedules of the 2024 WAFCON and the 2025 AFCON.
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