WAFU-B U17: Olopade Tasks Golden Eaglets On AFCON, World Cup Qualifications 

Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has charged the Golden Eaglets to excel at the WAFU-B U17 Championship in Burkina Faso and secure qualification for next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations and FIFA U17 World Cup.

Olopade gave the charge on Monday when he paid a surprise visit to the team during its final training session at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, ahead of their departure for Ouagadougou.

After watching the players, the NSC boss urged the team, led by head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere, to approach the regional championship with determination and a strong sense of responsibility as they seek to restore Nigeria’s presence on the global U17 stage.

“A great opportunity has been given to you as young footballers to represent Nigeria at the U17 national team level. It is therefore very important for you to do well and excel,” Olopade told the players.

“This is football, which falls directly under the NFF, but as the Director-General of the NSC, with football and other sports under my supervision, I am here to encourage you to take the task ahead very seriously.

“The government and people of Nigeria want you to succeed at the WAFU-B U17 Championship, and I can assure you that you will be graciously rewarded at the end.

“The aim is to qualify for the U17 AFCON tournament and thereafter the FIFA U17 World Cup next year.”

Nigeria have not featured at the FIFA U17 World Cup since the 2019 edition in Brazil, where the five-time world champions were eliminated in the Round of 16.

Olopade expressed confidence in the current squad and urged the players to trust their preparation and execute the instructions of their coaches.

“I am very optimistic that this team will not disappoint Nigerians. Play according to what you have learnt under the head coach, and I strongly believe that you will perform very well and qualify for the U17 AFCON,” he added.

The WAFU-B U17 Championship gets underway in Ouagadougou this weekend, with the Golden Eaglets aiming to emerge among the region’s top sides and take another step towards a return to the continental and global stages.