Golden Eaglets head coach, Manu Garba has expressed confidence in his team’s preparedness for the upcoming 2025 WAFU B U17 Cup.
The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Garba, who previously led the Eaglets to glory, stated that he is proud of the players at his disposal. He assured that the team is focused not only on representing the country but also on securing qualification for the AFCON.
“I’m proud of the boys. My boys are ready to represent the country — not only to represent the country, but to qualify for the AFCON, which is the main objective of going to the WAFU tournament,” he said.
The coach highlighted the strict measures taken by the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical department regarding age eligibility, stressing that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) testing was a key factor in the selection process.
Garba explained that while some promising players had to be dropped, the current squad fully complies with FIFA’s approved age grades.
“Last week, there was an official MRI. We had very good players who could have been here, but unfortunately they were dropped. I ensure every player undergoes MRI before joining trials,” he added.
“Three-quarters of the squad are between grades 1, 2, and 3, while only two players are on grade 4, so we are good to go.”
The Golden Eaglets are aiming to extend Nigeria’s dominance at youth level as they embark on their journey to secure a spot in the 2026 U17 AFCON.
