Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are one of the five countries that have lifted the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations trophy twice.
The country’s best results came in 2001 in Seychelles and 2007 in Togo.
Ahead of the commencement of the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria, Afrosport reviews the best Nigeria talents that excelled in the tournament and are currently dominating the game in their respective clubs.
Victor Osimhen
The Napoli striker leads the list as he was the top scorer in the 2015 edition of the U17 AFCON in Niger.
Osimhen’s record of four goals was not enough for the Golden Eaglets as they finished fourth in the competition after losing their third-place match to Guinea. Mali were the eventual winners of the tournament.
Presently, the former Ultimate Strikers Academy star is the name on every Napoli faithful’s lips as they edge closer to lifting their first Serie A title since 1990.
Akinkunmi Amoo
The 20-year-old is the latest star that emerged from the Golden Eaglets’ ranks in the 2019 edition of the U17 AFCON.
Amoo’s first European adventure was in Ibrahimovic-owned Hammarby and he established his presence in the team with his tally of nine goals in 29 matches.
He attracted lots of interest from Europe but eventually moved to FC Copenhagen. Amoo managed to make just two appearances in the Danish Superliga this season before suffering a serious knee injury that ruled him out for over nine months.
Isaac Success
The 27-year-old was the top scorer in the 2013 edition of the U17 AFCON in Morocco. Success’ return of seven goals fired the Golden Eaglets to a second-place finish after losing to the Ivory Coast via penalties in the final match.
The former Watford striker currently plies his trade in the Italian Serie A where he has scored just a goal in 30 appearances for Udinese this campaign.
Kelechi Nwakali
The midfield star followed Osimhen closely in the scorers’ chart in Niger as he scored in each of the Golden Eaglets’ group matches in Niger to take his tally to three goals.
Nwakali joined Arsenal youth academy after the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile but he did not get the chance to make an appearance for the Gunners first-team.
He plays in the Spanish second division with Ponferradina who are battling against relegation.
Samuel Chukwueze
The Villarreal winger was part of the Golden Eaglets squad that travelled to Niger Republic in 2015.
Chwukueze was scouted in the Diamond Football Academy before Villarreal moved for him in 2018 and he rose through the club’s youth ranks to establish himself in the Estadio de la Cremica.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Iheanacho was the second most prolific Nigerian at the 2013 U17 AFCON with his tally of five goals including a hat-trick in their 7-0 thrashing of Congo in the group stage.
The Super Eagles forward is still sharp in front of goal as he leads Nigerians in the Premier League with his five goals for Leicester City this season.
