The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will not participate in the 2017 edition of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after they were beaten by Niger Republic on Saturday, August 20.
The Golden Eaglets managed a lone goal win over the Young Menas in the first leg of this fixture but could not keep the advantage in the return leg in Niamey as they were beaten 3-1.
This will be the first time in the country’s history that Nigeria won’t be part of all Afcon tournaments at all levels. The Super Eagles won’t be in Gabon 2017. The Flying Eagles were denied qualification in the U-20 cadre by Sudan.
Recall that a great percentage of the U17 team were recently sent packing after about 26 players from the squad failed the mandatory MRI screening ahead of the first leg.
The tests conducted uses an exceptionally strong magnet and radio frequency waves to generate image of the body to understand the cause of several health issues and in football, especially to determine age (range) of players.
The Golden Eaglets are the only team ever to win the junior world cup five times. They won the maiden edition in 1985 at China and later in 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015.
They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995.
With the 3-1 loss to Niger, the team will not have the opportunity to reach the World Cup stage to defend their title which they won in 2015, since Africa’s representatives will be chosen at the U17 Nations Cup billed for Madagascar in April, 2017.