Nigeria’s U-17 side, the Golden Eaglets will know their group opponents of the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday when the draw is staged in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, reports Completesportsnigeria.com.
The draw ceremony will take place at the Mlimani City Conference Centre, Dar Es Salam.
Hosts Tanzania are seeded in Group A, while Guinea who finished third at the last edition of the competition are seeded in Group B.
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Guinea got the nod after defending champions, Mali and second placed Ghana failed to qualify for the competition.
The Golden Eaglets are drawn in pot 2 along with Morocco, Senegal and Uganda.
The biennial competition will be played between April 14 and 28.
The top four teams will represent Africa at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru in October.
By Adeboye Amosu
COMMENTS
Hmmm…these ones still look like U17s (at least till wen they do their next MRI test b4 the U17 AFCON). Unlike tho picture of the Wafu u20 guys. Tho I’m not d used to raising eyebrows about players’ ages…but those boys…..yoh…?!
It’s rather stereotypical to think that way especially with Nigerian players .A few may have cheated in the past but recently after the MRI was institutionalised coaches makes sure players invited are of the required age limits apparently this players are young they look under 17.
Meanwhile,due to the strenuous training regime football players have to go through coupled with the hard life inherent in Africa,football players tends to look a bit older than they really are.
In my opinion the players I am seeing above are true under 17’s.
In my opinion the players above looks young and doesnt look older than the age limits.
I think it’s rather stereotypical to think that way even with the application of MRI which is prerequisite before players are qiven the passage or eligibility to take part in the playoffs or world cup.
The MRI sure helps and adds some credibility. The MRI has benefited us so much….look at the number of young talents we now have all over the world from our u17 teams from the last 5 years, with more even coming up into the fray. those that we’re brought in to join them in the u20s without passing tru MRI back then, they are no where to be found. I wish the MRI can be applied at u20 level too. You just need to go back and look at the picture of the Wafu u20 guys again. I know one of them who has played in the NPFL for over 4 years (i wont mention his name) he has played for ABS, Kwara United, Nassarawa Utd and Enyimba…..and he’s still under 20…? that means he probably started at the age of 15. Whc tru 15 year old can play in the nigerian league. We shouldnt run away from the truth when it stares us in the face sometimes.