Ugbade, Odini lament U-17 AFCON cancellation
Kelvin Ekerete
U-17 World Cup winners Nduka Ugbade and Festus Odini have lamented the postponement of the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations by the Confederation of African Football.
CAF in a statement on Monday cancelled the competition, which was scheduled to begin on Friday, due to COVID-19 concerns and travel restrictions in the host country Morocco.
CAF’s emergency committee said, “The committee was made aware of the constraints faced by some of the participating member associations as well as the host country, including the fact that the coronavirus pandemic continues to present significant challenges for the organisation of international sporting events.”
Eaglets know U-17 AFCON foes today
’Tosin Oluwalowo
The Golden Eaglets will know their opponents in the group stage of the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations today, when the draw ceremony holds at 2pm Nigerian time at the Monotel Dar El Barka Hotel in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The Fatai Amoo-led side, two-time champions of the competition, qualified for the U-17 AFCON after placing second at the WAFU B U-17 Tournament in Togo January, where they lost 3-2 to Ivory Coast in the final match.
The U-17 AFCON will be held in Morocco between March 13 and 31.
Other qualified countries aside Nigeria and Ivory Coast are Mali, Senegal, Zambia, South Africa and Uganda.