Eaglets Train on Poor Pitch Before Niger Clash

At the WAFU-B U17 Championship, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets were forced to conduct their final training session on a termite-infested, five-a-side pitch in Ouagadougou on October 13, 2026, just before their opening match. The team had originally planned to train at the USFA football pitch in Ouagadougou. However, upon arrival at the venue, the Nigerian contingent found that the owners of the facility, USFA, had organized a friendly match at the same time the Eaglets were scheduled to begin their session.

As a result, the Nigerian cadet team was directed to a nearby five-a-side pitch adjacent to the main facility. Unfortunately, the condition of this pitch was inadequate, presenting a poor playing surface that was unsuitable for a team preparing for a competitive international tournament.

Despite efforts by Paul Okwudolor, the team manager of Nigeria’s U17 national team, to contact the Championship organizers for a resolution, he was unable to get through at the time this report was filed.

The Nigerian youngsters expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation, yet the technical crew and players resolved to put this unfortunate event behind them and concentrate on the upcoming clash against their counterparts from Niger Republic on Wednesday.

As five-time world champions in this age category, Nigeria aims to advance through group B, where they will face Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire, before moving into the knockout rounds of the WAFU-B U17 Championship, which serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.