WAFU B U17 Championship: We Will Raise Formidable Squad – Garba

Head Coach Manu Garba has assured that Nigeria’s U17 boys, the Golden Eaglets, are on track to form a strong team for the upcoming WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana. Garba, who led the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup-winning team, dismissed concerns about players failing MRI tests, stating that the genuine U17 players with valid documents and successful MRI tests are still in the camp.

He explained that some players had to leave the camp after MRI tests conducted by sincere football academies revealed they were over age (Grade 5), which is not within the NFF’s requirements.

Garba emphasized that the NFF insists on players with MRI results between Grades 1 to 4. Players with Grade 5 results have been asked to leave the camp.

Garba clarified that despite the MRI tests, the camp is not in disarray. He expressed optimism about the team’s performance in Ghana, noting that most players had good MRI results from the NFF-approved medical center. The team will undergo another MRI test by CAF before the tournament begins.

The defending champions will kick off their title defense against Burkina Faso on May 16. The team has played nine friendly games, winning six, drawing two, and losing one, as part of their preparation.

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