Nigeria national under-17 football team

The Nigeria national U-17 football team known as the Golden Eaglets, is the youngest team that represents Nigeria in football[2] The team is the most successful in international football for their age group winning a record, five FIFA U-17 World Cup titles and are runners up on three occasions. They are also two-time Africa U-17 Cup of Nations champions with their most recent title at the 2007 edition.[3]

Nigeria Under-17
Nickname(s)Golden Eaglets
AssociationNigeria Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationWAFU (West Africa)
Head coachFatai Amoo[1]
Home stadiumAbuja Stadium
FIFA codeNGA
First colours
Second colours
Biggest defeat
 France 3–0 Nigeria 
(Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; 30 September, 2001)
 Benin 3–0 Nigeria 
(Posto-Novo, Benin; , 2009)
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Appearances12 (first in 1985)
Best resultChampions (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, 2015)
Africa U-17 Cup of Nations
Appearances8 (first in 1995)
Best resultChampions (2001, 2007)

History

The team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 at China, the 1985 Edition tournament was sponsored by Kodak (when it was known as the U-16 tournament), 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015 (Becoming only the second team since Brazil to win it back to back); making them the first team ever to win the junior world cup five times.[4] They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995.

After the 2007 victory there was some discussion as to whether the success should be rewarded in the form of cash, or if longer-term investments were more suitable for teenage players. It was pointed out that some previous players had found themselves reduced to poverty due to injury or mismanagement of their funds.[4]

Heading into the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, head coach Henry Nwosu was replaced by John Obuh, coach of Kwara United.[5]

Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, they participated again in the 2013 edition of the tournament. Planning was thrown into disarray however in August when key members of the team was determined by MRI scanning to be overage and excluded from the team.[6] In their first match, the team defeated the defending champions Mexico with a 6-1 score. They only failed to defeat Sweden in the group stage, but they did so in the semi-finals. In the final match they faced and defeated Mexico for a second time, obtaining their fourth U-17 World Cup and becoming the national team to win the most U-17 tournaments so far.

The team were again the subject of age cheating accusations when, a total of 26 players from the 60-strong squad were sent home from their training camp in 2016 after failing compulsory MRI scans used to test age ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier.[7] It is important to note that amidst all the age cheating accusations, the team has never been found guilty of fielding overage players in any competition. All the players accused of being overage were all caught at the Abuja training camp and sent home before they played any game for the team.[8][9]

Competitive record

A gold background colour indicates that Nigeria won the tournament.

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Team honours and achievements

Intercontinental

Continental

Others

Staff

Management

  • Team Coordinator: Suleiman Abubakar
  • Secretary: Egbaiyelo Tayo
  • Media Coordinator: Morakinyo Abodunrin

Sports

  • Head Coach: Fatai Amoo
  • Assistant Coach: Ahmed Lawal Dankoli
  • Assistant Coach: Nnamdi Onuigbo
  • Scout: Hassan Abdallah
  • Goalkeeper Coach: Danlami Kwasau

Medical

  • Doctor: Olarinoye Ayodeji
  • Physiotherapist: Oyegunna Gabriel
  • Equipment Manager: Mohammed Kafa Usman

Squad

Nigeria announced a squad of 21 players on 16 October 2019 for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup [10][11]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1 1GK Sunday Stephen (2002-09-20)20 September 2002 (aged 17) Abuja Football College
2 4FW Adeniyi Oluwatimilehin (2003-05-12)12 May 2003 (aged 16) Sporting Dreams FC
3 2DF Charles Etim (2003-10-10)10 October 2003 (aged 16) Blessed Stars Football Academy
4 3MF Jordan Morakinyo (2002-05-17)17 May 2002 (aged 17) Collings Edwin FC
5 2DF Clement Ikenna (2003-03-16)16 March 2003 (aged 16) A&B Academy
6 2DF Usman Ibrahim (2003-03-02)2 March 2003 (aged 16) Giant Brilliants FC
7 4FW Olakunnle Olusegun (2002-04-23)23 April 2002 (aged 17) ABS
8 3MF Hamzat Ojediran (2003-11-14)14 November 2003 (aged 15) Jossy United FC
9 4FW Wisdom Ubani (2003-05-16)16 May 2003 (aged 16) Giant Brilliants FC
10 3MF Peter Agba (2002-12-20)20 December 2002 (aged 16) Falala Academy
11 2DF Quadri Edun (2003-04-27)27 April 2003 (aged 16) G12 FC
12 4FW Peter Olawale (2002-07-26)26 July 2002 (aged 17) Tripple 44 FC
13 4FW Akinkunmi Amoo (2002-06-07)7 June 2002 (aged 17) Sidos FC
14 3MF Daniel Francis (2003-09-27)27 September 2003 (aged 16) FC Hearts
15 3MF Monsuru Opeyemi (2003-08-11)11 August 2003 (aged 16) B. Angel FC
16 1GK Daniel Jinadu (2002-06-21)21 June 2002 (aged 17) West Ham United
17 4FW Divine Nwachukwu (2003-05-25)25 May 2003 (aged 16) Riverline FC
18 4FW Ibraheem Jabaar (2002-10-24)24 October 2002 (aged 17) Ijebu FC
19 4FW Abba Bichi (2003-12-27)27 December 2003 (aged 15) Talentbase Sport FC
20 3MF Ibrahim Said (2003-06-15)15 June 2003 (aged 16) Dabo Babes Academy
21 1GK Joseph Oluwabusola (2003-01-01)1 January 2003 (aged 16) AFC Bournemouth

Notable former players

   

See also

References

  1. "Fatai Amoo replaces Manu Garba as Eaglets coach". Score Nigeria. 23 September 2020.
  2. "Fifa U17 World Cup: Champions Nigeria must avoid stereotypes in modern age | The National". Thenational.ae. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  3. https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/golden-eaglets-miss-out-on-3rd-u17-afcon-title-with-lots-of-work-to-do/xtnqz61
  4. "Nigeria: Golden Eaglets - Return of the Argonauts". Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
  5. Egbokhan, John (13 August 2009). "Nwosu predicts doom for Eaglets". Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  6. Okeleji, Oluwashina (19 August 2013). "Nigeria U-17 players fail age tests ahead of the World Cup". BBC. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  7. "Nigeria's under-17 squad wiped out as half are older than 17". Independent Uk. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  8. Okeleji, Oluwashina (19 August 2013). "Nigeria U-17 players fail age tests ahead of the World Cup". BBC. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  9. "Nigeria's under-17 squad wiped out as half are older than 17". Independent Uk. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  10. "Nigeria U17 squad For WYC Camp In Brazil revealed". 10 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
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