Abuja, Nigeria – (African Boulevard News) – Nigeria is on a mission to become the most successful team in the lowest age cadre of continental competition as they strive for the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title number three. The tournament, which is slated to begin on the 13th of August, will be hosted by Morocco.
Coach Nduka Ugbade, who captained the Golden Eaglets to triumph in the first edition of the competition in 1985, has urged caution ahead of the tournament. He stated that “for us to win the trophy, we must be very cautious and take each game at a time.” Ugbade pointed out that Nigeria’s history in the competition is an added advantage for them, but they need to be prepared mentally and physically to overcome the opposition.
Nigeria has a rich history in the U17 AFCON, having won the trophy twice and finished runners-up three times. The Golden Eaglets will begin their quest for the title against Tanzania in the tournament’s opening game on August 13th. The team has been in camp since the beginning of July, preparing under the watchful eye of head coach Fatai Amoo.
Nigeria’s U17 team has always been a breeding ground for future stars, with the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, John Obi Mikel, and Victor Osimhen starting their careers in the team. This year’s edition promises to be no different, with highly-rated youngsters like Wisdom Ubani and Ahmed Abdulahi expected to lead the team’s charge for the title.
The TotalEnergies U17 AFCON is also an opportunity for Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 U17 World Cup, which will be played in Peru. The top four teams in the tournament will qualify for the global competition, providing even more motivation for Nigeria to perform.
The tournament’s other contenders include defending champions Cameroon, four-time winners Ghana, and hosts Morocco. The games will be played in four cities across Morocco, with the final set to take place on August 29th at the Stade Municipal de Nouadhibou.
In conclusion, Nigeria is expected to put up a strong challenge for the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON title this year. With a rich history in the competition and a talented squad, the Golden Eaglets have every reason to be optimistic. However, caution and focus will be crucial if they are to emerge victorious.
