Nigeria national under-17 football team

History

The team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 hosted by China, as well as the 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015 editions (becoming only the second team since Brazil to win it back to back); making them the first team ever to win the junior world cup five times. They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995 and 2013.

After the 2007 World Cup victory there was some discussion as to whether the success should be rewarded in the form of cash, or if longer-term investments were more suitable for teenage players. It was pointed out that some previous players had found themselves reduced to poverty due to injury or mismanagement of their funds.

Heading into the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, head coach Henry Nwosu was replaced by John Obuh, coach of Kwara United.

Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, they participated again in the 2013 edition of the tournament. Planning was thrown into disarray however in August when key members of the team was determined by MRI scanning to be overage and excluded from the team. In their first match, the team defeated the defending champions Mexico with a 6–1 score. They only failed to defeat Sweden in the group stage, but they did so in the semi-finals. In the final match they defeated Mexico for a second time, obtaining their fourth U-17 World Cup and becoming the national team to win the most U-17 tournaments as at 2023.

The team were again the subject of age-cheating accusations when, a total of 26 players from the 60-strong squad were sent home from their training camp in 2016 after failing compulsory MRI scans used to determine age ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier. Amidst all the age cheating accusations, the team has never been found guilty of fielding overage players in any competition. All the players accused of being overage were caught at the Abuja training camp and sent home before they played any game for the team.

Competitive record

FIFA U-17 World Cup record

U-17 Africa Cup of Nations record

A gold background colour indicates that Nigeria won the tournament.

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Team honours and achievements

Intercontinental

• FIFA U-17 World Cup
  • Winners: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, 2015
  • Runners-up: 1987, 2001, 2009

Continental

• Africa U-17 Cup of Nations
  • Winners: 2001, 2007
  • Runners-up: 1995, 2013
  • Third-place: 2003

Others

• UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup
  • Winners: 1997

Staff

Management

• Team Coordinator: Suleiman Abubakar
• Secretary: Egbaiyelo Tayo
• Media Coordinator: Morakinyo Abodunrin

Sports

• Head coach: Nduka Ugbade
• Assistant coach:
• Assistant coach:
• Scout:
• Goalkeeper coach:

Medical

• Doctor: Olarinoye Ayodeji
• Physiotherapist: Oyegunna Gabriel
• Equipment Manager: Mohammed Kafa Usman

Current squad

The following players were named in the squad for the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations between 29 April – 19 May.

Caps and goals are correct as of 1 May 2023, after the match against Mali.

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Notable former players

• Macauley Chrisantus
• Lukman Haruna
• Mikel John Obi
• Chinedu Obasi
• Isaac Promise
• Philip Osondu
• Celestine Babayaro
• Mohammed Aliyu
• Benedict Akwuegbu
• Femi Opabunmi
• Sani Emmanuel
• Terry Envoh
• James Obiorah
• Stanley Okoro
• Wilson Oruma
• Ogenyi Onazi
• Kenneth Omeruo
• Ramon Azeez
• Isaac Success
• Francis Uzoho
• Nwankwo Kanu
• Nduka Ugbade
• Jonathan Akpoborie
• Victor Ikpeba
• Kelechi Iheanacho
• Samuel Chukwueze
• Dele Alampasu
• Victor Osimhen
• Kelechi Nwakali
• Samson Tijani

References

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Nigeria's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

References

1. (2013-11-09). "Fifa U17 World Cup: Champions Nigeria must avoid stereotypes in modern age | The National". Thenational.ae.
2. "Which team won the FIFA U-17 World Cup the most times?".
3. (May 2019). "Golden Eaglets miss out on 3rd U17 AFCON title with lots of work to do".
4. "Nigeria: Golden Eaglets - Return of the Argonauts".
5. Egbokhan, John. (13 August 2009). "Nwosu predicts doom for Eaglets".
6. Okeleji, Oluwashina. (19 August 2013). "Nigeria U-17 players fail age tests ahead of the World Cup". BBC.
7. "Golden Eaglets are world champions: Nigeria U17 defeats Mexico 3- 0".
8. (5 August 2016). "Nigeria's under-17 squad wiped out as half are older than 17". Independent Uk..
9. "Nigeria Squad List". Confederation of African Football.