x

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria Fail to Qualify for 2025 U-17 AFCON and World Cup

By Milcah Tanimu

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have been eliminated from contention for the 2025 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, despite securing a victory over Ghana in the third-place match of the Under-17 WAFU B Championship on Tuesday, May 28.

Entering the 2024 WAFU B Championship as the defending champions, the Golden Eaglets were considered strong favorites. However, their campaign was derailed by a 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast in the semi-finals, relegating them to the third-place playoff against Ghana. In a closely contested match, the Golden Eaglets emerged victorious with a 3-2 win.

There was uncertainty regarding whether a third-place finish in the WAFU B Championship would be sufficient for qualification to the 2025 U-17 AFCON, a critical pathway to the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later confirmed that despite their third-place finish, the Golden Eaglets did not qualify for the U-17 AFCON. A statement from the NFF clarified that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will maintain a 12-team format for the tournament, not expanding to 16 teams as some had speculated.

“The Confederation of African Football has clarified that next year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations will still have 12 finalists in attendance, as against the minimum of 16 teams being projected by African football enthusiasts,” the NFF’s statement read. “This means that despite defeating host nation Ghana in Tuesday’s third-place match of the WAFU B U-17 Championship, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have not qualified for the finals.”

This outcome also means that Nigeria will miss out on the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar, as qualification for the U-17 AFCON is the sole route for African teams to reach the global event.

Hot this week

Igbo Group Urges FG to Obey Court Orders, Release Nnamdi Kanu

By Anne AzukaA socio-cultural organisation, Ndi Na Asu Bia...

2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Thrash Benin 4–0, But South Africa Clinch World Cup Spot

Nigeria ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign...

National Assembly Moves to Hold 2027 Elections Earlier

The National Assembly has proposed key amendments to the...

You’ll Remain a social media president- Wike taunts Peter Obi

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike...

Dualization of Apo, Wasa Junction Is Tinubu’s Fulfilled Promise — Wike

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe FCT Minister Barr. Nysome Wike...

Minister Wike and the zone 6 neighbourhood park conversion saga in Abuja (II)

By Tpl. Umar Shuaibu.Deriving its power from the FCT...

NAF Seeks Stronger Partnership with Journalists

The Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known during an interactive session with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council led by the Chairman, Ms. Grace Ike

MRA Condemns INEC’s N1.5bn Fee for Voters Register Under FOI Act

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)...

Kano PCC Vows Free Justice for All, Extends Services to Remote Communities

By Jabiru HassanThe Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints...

Tinubu Allies Target Tambuwal Over Alleged Political Betrayals

Here’s a clean, newsroom-ready version of your draft. I’ve...

Ex-ACF Scribe Warns FG Against Bowing to Pressure Over Nnamdi Kanu

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaFormer Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img