Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets chase third AFCON title to Algeria 2023 with 26 players

Golden Eaglets head coach Nduja Ugbade has included 26 players in Nigeria’s contingent for the 2023 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

The announcement was made by the Nigeria Football Federation, with players and officials set to arrive in the Algerian city of Constantine on Sunday night to commence their final preparations for the tournament.

The squad was selected after an intense period of training and friendly matches at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, Abuja base. The Eaglets played 12 friendly matches, winning 11 and drawing one, with an impressive total of 66 goals scored and 14 conceded. The team’s top goal scorer during the period was Abdulmumin Jibril, who netted 10 goals in the friendly matches.

The Golden Eaglets will be competing in Group B of the tournament, alongside Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa.

They will play their first match on Sunday next week against Zambia at the 22,000-capacity Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui. The team will then take on Morocco and South Africa in other matches in the group stage.

The top four-placed teams in Algeria will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U17 World Cup finals scheduled for later this year.

The Golden Eaglets are the most successful in international football for their age group, having won the FIFA U-17 World Cup five times and have been runners-up three times.

They are also two-time Africa U-17 Cup of Nations champions, with their most recent title coming in 2007. No other team has won more.

Nigeria’s first match at the tournament is against Zambia on Sunday, April 30.

Golden Eaglets squad to 2023 U17 AFCON
Richard Odoh (HB Football Academy)
Yahaya Danjuma Lawali (Mahanaim FC)
Emmanuel Michael (Simon Ben Football Academy)
Haruna Abdullahi (Kurfi Tigers Academy)
Tochukwu Joseph Ogboji (Purple Crown Academy)
Jeremiah Oluwaseyi Olaleke (Ablaze Football Academy)
Umar Abubakar (Devine Football Academy)
Abubakar Idris Abdullahi (Jega United)
Precious Tonye Williams (HB Football Academy)
Ifeoluwa Adewale Olowoporoku (Triple 44 Academy)
Charles Adah Agada (Mavlon FC)
Hope Yusuf Linus (E.E. Sporting Club)
Jubril Opeyemi Azeez (Right Vision Choice Academy)
Anongu Isaac Aondoakaa (FC Bathel Sporting)
Israel Nwachukwu Usulor (Real Sapphire FC)
Temiloluwa Oluwayimika Adelakin (Box2Box Academy)
Simon Karshe Cletus (Mavlon FC)
Tochukwu Simeon Ogbadibo (Jossy United)
Light Chijioke Eke (C&C Football Academy)
Favour Oluwasegun Daniel (G12 Football Academy)
Chijioke Julius Linus (Triple 44 Academy)
Quadri Oluwatobiloba Adewale (Nathaniel Boys FC)
Gift Ukeh Adie (Paul E Football Academy)
Musa Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire FC)
Usman Ajibola Owoyemi (Triple 44 Academy)
Matthew Awodi Kingsley (Brook House Academy)