U17 AFCON: Nduka Ugbade reveals Golden Eaglet’s preparation plans

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria U17 national team’s head coach, Nduka Ugbade has revealed his side’s preparation plans ahead of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in April 2023.

The Golden Eaglets claimed the WAFU-B regional title in 2022 to qualify for the continental finals and the veteran coach has admitted that lack of funds have slowed things down his team’s Afcon build up.

“The U-20 team have started their training camp because theirs (CAF U-20 AFCON) is coming first. Ours (U-17) is in April,” he explained.

“We are starting camping soon. The only problem is that when there are no funds, things slow down but in a week or two (weeks), things will fall in place.”

Ugbade was the captain of the Nigeria U16 team that won the maiden edition of the age grade tournament in China in 1985.

The Golden Eaglets are five time champions of the 17 FIFA World Cup and will hope to reach the semifinal of this year’s U17 AFCON in a bid to automatically qualify to the U17 FIFA World Cup.