The Nigeria national U-17 football team, known as the Golden Eaglets, is the youngest team that represents Nigeria in football. The team is the most successful in international football for their age group, winning a record five FIFA U-17 World Cup titles and have been runners-up on three occasions. They are also two-time Africa U-17 Cup of Nations champions with their most recent title at the 2007 edition.
History The team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 hosted by China, as well as the 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015 editions (becoming only the second team since Brazil to win it back to back); making them the first team ever to win the junior world cup five times. They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995 and 2013.
After the 2007 World Cup victory there was some discussion as to whether the success should be rewarded in the form of cash, or if longer-term investments were more suitable for teenage players. It was pointed out that some previous players had found themselves reduced to poverty due to injury or mismanagement of their funds.
Heading into the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, head coach Henry Nwosu was replaced by John Obuh, coach of Kwara United.
Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, they participated again in the 2013 edition of the tournament. Planning was thrown into disarray however in August when key members of the team was determined by MRI scanning to be overage and excluded from the team. In their first match, the team defeated the defending champions Mexico with a 6–1 score. They only failed to defeat Sweden in the group stage, but they did so in the semi-finals. In the final match they defeated Mexico for a second time, obtaining their fourth U-17 World Cup and becoming the national team to win the most U-17 tournaments as at 2023.
The team were again the subject of age-cheating accusations when, a total of 26 players from the 60-strong squad were sent home from their training camp in 2016 after failing compulsory MRI scans used to determine age ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier. Amidst all the age cheating accusations, the team has never been found guilty of fielding overage players in any competition. All the players accused of being overage were caught at the Abuja training camp and sent home before they played any game for the team.
Competitive record
FIFA U-17 World Cup record FIFA U-17 World Cup recordYearRoundPositionGPWD*LGSGA 1985Champions1st6420102 1987Runners-up2nd632175 1989Quarter-finals6th422070 1991did not qualify 1993Champions1st6600203 1995Quarter-finals7th421164 1997did not qualify 1999 2001Runners-up2nd6501145 2003Group stage11th311133 2005did not qualify 2007Champions1st7610164 2009Runners-up2nd7511177 2011did not qualify 2013Champions1st7610265 2015Champions1st7601235 2017did not qualify 2019Round of 1615th420299 2023did not qualify 2025 2026Total12/215 Titles674811815852
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations record U-17 Africa Cup of NationsYearRoundPositionGPWD*LGSGA 1995Runners-up2nd5401135 1997did not qualify 1999Group stage6th311155 2001Champions1st5320134 2003Third place3rd540192 2005Group stage6th311186 2007Champions1st5500151 2009did not qualify 2011 2013Runners-up2nd5311185 2015Fourth place4th521276 2017did not qualify 2019Fourth place4th221259 2023Quarter-finals -420255 2025Did not qualifyTotal10/152 titles45277119858
A gold background colour indicates that Nigeria won the tournament.
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Team honours and achievements Intercontinental FIFA U-17 World Cup Winners: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, 2015 Runners-up: 1987, 2001, 2009
Continental Africa U-17 Cup of Nations Winners: 2001, 2007 Runners-up: 1995, 2013 Third-place: 2003
Others UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup Winners: 1997
Staff
Management Team Coordinator: Suleiman Abubakar Secretary: Egbaiyelo Tayo Media Coordinator: Morakinyo Abodunrin
Sports Head coach: Nduka Ugbade Assistant coach: Assistant coach: Scout: Goalkeeper coach:
Medical Doctor: Olarinoye Ayodeji Physiotherapist: Oyegunna Gabriel Equipment Manager: Mohammed Kafa Usman
Current squad The following players were named in the squad for the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations between 29 April – 19 May.
Caps and goals are correct as of 1 May 2023, after the match against Mali.
Notable former players
Macauley Chrisantus Lukman Haruna Mikel John Obi Chinedu Obasi Isaac Promise Philip Osondu Celestine Babayaro Mohammed Aliyu Benedict Akwuegbu Femi Opabunmi Sani Emmanuel Terry Envoh James Obiorah Stanley Okoro Wilson Oruma Ogenyi Onazi Kenneth Omeruo Ramon Azeez Isaac Success Francis Uzoho Nwankwo Kanu Nduka Ugbade Jonathan Akpoborie Victor Ikpeba Kelechi Iheanacho Samuel Chukwueze Dele Alampasu Victor Osimhen Kelechi Nwakali Samson Tijani
Head-to-head record The following table shows Nigeria's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. OpponentWin %Total
See also Super Eagles (Nigeria national football team) Flying Eagles (Nigeria national under-20 football team) African U-17 Championship
References
External links Official website of the Nigerian Football Federation