2023 U17 Afcon: Golden Eaglets set for fresh screening camp

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria coach, Nduka Ugbade says there would be a fresh screening this November for the Nigerian U-17 national team.

The former Remo Stars coach is set to screen more players this month in preparation for next year’s CAF U-17 Championship.

“I am looking at this November to stop by December 20 so that everybody can go for holidays then we come back again by January. So many things are happening since Mr. Gusau has taken over the reins of power at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),” Nduka Ugbade told Brila FM.

Nigeria won the West Africa Zone B (WAFU-B) U-17 Championship this year to qualify for the African U-17 Championship and the tactician discusses this next step in his campaign.

“A lot of things are being done which are positive. This might delay a little the resumption of the team but we still have time anytime we are being called,” the coach continued.

“We still have like three weeks to make sure that the players are selected. At least 100 of them so that we can focus on the MRI.

“We already have about 58 players out of the 60 that did the last screening and are still eligible for the competition.”

Golden Eaglets remain the most successful football team at the U-17 level with a record five FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.

After winning the maiden edition in 1985, Nigeria won four more FIFA U-17 World Cup titles in 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015. Despite its global dominance, Golden Eaglet has won just two African titles in 2001 and 2007.