The Nigeria U17 team have stepped up preparation for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations with series of friendly games at their camp in Abuja. They have been involved in several test games since resuming around a week ago.
Their games which are played at the FIFA Goal Project have seen them blow their opponents away in their last three games that is after losing in back to back test games. The winning run started with a hard fought 3-1 win over relegated Nigeria Professional Football League side Kano Pillars.
Nduka Ugabde led team showed no nerves and unusual composure by recovering from a goal down to win 3-1. That win over an older and superior team set the tone for other high profile victories. The high point was the 11-1 thrashing of Young Strikers of Ilesha. That was after another good win over P-Sports Academy.
Since those games, the team hasn’t looked back and it has endeared them to those who usually watch them train in Abuja. Even the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro is a huge admirer of the team.
It’s a sign that the team is still very much in the element that saw them beat all comers including the host to lift the WAFU B championship which was held in Ghana. They defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final.
Waziri Damian