Golden Eaglets to face Algeria, Congo in U-17 AFCON group

NIGERIA’S Golden Eaglets have been drawn in Group B of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Tanzania, Algeria and Congo.

The draw was held in Nouakchott, Mauritania on Wednesday with 12 teams placed in three groups of four.

The competition will be held in Morocco from 13 March to 31 March with the hosts facing Uganda in the opening match in Rabat.

Nigeria’s first group match will be against Tanzania, before Fatai Amoo’s boys take on Congo. The Golden Eaglets’ final group fixture is against Algeria.

Nigeria is the most successful country in the history of U-17 football globally, winning the World Cup in the age group five times: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

Normally, the U-17 AFCON would serve as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, but this year’s global competition has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

In the groupings decided on Wednesday, hosts Morocco will battle Uganda, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A. The Ivorians qualified for the AFCON along with Nigeria from the West African Football Union zone B tournament.

Group C has Cameroon, South Africa and the two other West African teams Senegal and Mali.

The top two teams from each group as well as the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals.

U-17 AFCON groups

Group A: Morocco, Uganda, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire

Group B: Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria, Congo

Group C: Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, South Africa