Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will kick-start their campaign at the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations on Sunday (today) against Zambia. Media Talk Africa x-rays the chances of the team in Algeria.
With five world titles and two in Africa, Nigeria’s U-17 side, the Golden Eaglets, are no doubt one of the most successful teams at this level. The current crop of Eaglets will look to further enhance the country’s pedigree in the cadet tournament by claiming the title in Algeria.
Only five countries, including Nigeria (2001) and 2007) have won the Africa U-17 title twice. The others are; Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and The Gambia.
Nigeria has also finished as runners-up twice, won bronze medals once and finished in fourth position twice.
Victory in Algeria will make the West Africans the most successful side in the history of the competition.
The Golden Eaglets will be led by Nduka Ugbade, the man, who captained the team to glory at the World Cup in 1985.
Ugbade has been an assistant to Manu Garba in the past and this opportunity to make a name for himself.
CHANCES
The Golden Eaglets are no doubt one of the firm favourites to cart home the title in Algeria going by their pedigree and impressive performance at the WAFU B Championship in Ghana last year.
The Nigerian boys were at their best in the competition, winning all four games on their way to emerging the number-one team in Ghana and qualifying for Algeria 2023.
The team have quality in all departments and has what it takes to go all the way in this competition.
The likes of Precious Williams, Isaac Aondoakaa and Light Eke are top players who will hope to help the team have a successful tournament.
Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal will be the biggest threats to Nigeria winning the title in Algeria but the Eaglets certainly have enough firepower to scale through.
Qualifying for the World Cup will be the first target for the team and then winning the title will be the icing on the cake.
GROUP OPPONENTS
Zambia, Morocco and South Africa are not among the heavyweights at this level on the continent. The Zambians will be making their second appearance in Algeria while Morocco has little pedigree at the U-17 level.
South Africa will be Nigeria’s biggest threat in the competition having made it to the final once in 2015.
Duncan Cowries’ side is, however, making a return to the tournament for the first time since 2015
