Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets faced an unexpected setback on Tuesday evening when they were made to conduct their final preparations for the WAFU-B U17 Championship opener on a termite-affected five-a-side field in Ouagadougou.
Training venue unavailable on arrival
The Nigerian U17 side had been due to train at the USFA football ground in the Burkina Faso capital ahead of Wednesday’s first Group B match.
However, when the delegation reached the venue, they found that USFA, which owns the facility, had arranged a friendly fixture at the same time Nigeria were scheduled to start training.
- The Golden Eaglets were unable to use the main USFA pitch as planned.
- They were instead sent to a neighbouring five-a-side facility beside the principal ground.
- The alternative surface was in poor condition and reportedly infested with termites, making it unsuitable for a side preparing for an international competition.
Manager unable to contact organisers
Paul Okwudolor, Nigeria’s U17 team manager, attempted to get in touch with the championship organisers over the incident, but had not succeeded by the time of the report.
The players were displeased with the circumstances surrounding their final session, although the coaching staff and squad have agreed to move on from the disruption and concentrate on their opening game against Niger Republic on Wednesday.
Group B route to continental qualification
Nigeria enter the regional event as five-time world champions at U17 level and must come through a demanding Group B schedule to reach the knockout phase.
- The Golden Eaglets will first meet Niger Republic.
- They will also face Cote d’Ivoire in Group B.
- Progress beyond the group stage would take them into the knockout rounds of the WAFU-B U17 Championship.
The competition serves as a qualifying tournament for next year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
