The Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 boys team, Nduka Ugbade, said his technical team are working diligently to raise a Golden Eaglets squad capable of making the nation proud at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria.
Ugbade, who has assisted a couple of coaches to win the FIFA U17 World Cup for Nigeria, is in charge this time and has guided his wards to the African finals after winning the WAFU B Championship in Ghana last summer.
The U-17 AFCON will take place from April 29th – 19th May this year in Algeria, with five-time world champions Nigeria drawn alongside Morocco, South Africa and Zambia in a potentially-explosive Group B, with venue in Constantine.
“We know that some work still has to be done within the next few weeks to put the team in great form,” said Ugbade, who captained Nigeria’s U-16 squad to win the inaugural FIFA tournament in China 38 years ago.
“I am happy with the level of work we have done and the kind of playing personnel at our disposal. I believe everything will come together beautifully and we will have a team that will do the country proud at the tournament.”
- Read more: Super Eagles’ Technical Crew ‘Not Good Enough’ – Former NFF Member
- Read more: Nigeria Fails To Qualify For U23 AFCON, Paris Olympics
A fortnight ago, the Golden Eaglets returned to camp in Abuja for the final phase of its preparations for the U-17 AFCON. Then three days ago, The Eaglets beat Mahanaim FC 4-2 in a friendly match at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium complex.
The U-17 boys will have a final camping programme in Europe, before flying to Algeria for the continental finals. The four top-placed teams will qualify to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru.
