Nigeria’s U17 boys will face China, Australia and Tanzania in the China International Youth Football Tournament as they intensify preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship qualifiers.
YINCHUAN, China — Nigeria’s U17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, have departed for China to participate in the four-nation China International Youth Football Tournament as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship.
The invitational tournament will take place in Yinchuan from 5 to 11 July, providing the young Nigerian side with valuable international experience ahead of the regional qualifying campaign for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The China International Youth Football Tournament will feature hosts China, Nigeria, Australia and Tanzania, with all matches scheduled to be played at the Yinchuan Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium.
The Nigerian contingent is led by head coach Uwejamomere Eboboritse, who is assisted by Kalli Mohammed Kachalla and Abdullahi Isa. The technical crew will use the tournament to evaluate player performances, strengthen tactical cohesion and assess different combinations within the squad before the highly competitive WAFU B qualifiers.
For the Golden Eaglets, the tournament represents more than just an opportunity to compete for honours. It offers the coaching staff a valuable platform to measure the team’s progress against quality international opposition while exposing the players to the demands of competitive youth football outside Africa.
The experience is expected to play an important role in the team’s preparations as Nigeria seeks qualification for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, with the WAFU B U17 Championship serving as the official qualifying tournament.
Nigeria remains the most successful nation in FIFA U17 World Cup history, having won the prestigious youth championship five times. The Golden Eaglets’ rich tradition at youth level continues to set high expectations for every new generation of players representing the country.
As the countdown to the regional qualifiers continues, the coaching crew will be hoping the matches in China provide the ideal environment to fine-tune tactics, build team chemistry and identify the squad capable of carrying Nigeria’s ambitions at both continental and global youth competitions.
With challenging fixtures against China, Australia and Tanzania awaiting in Yinchuan, the Golden Eaglets will be eager to gain valuable competitive experience and lay a solid foundation for their quest to qualify for the next U17 Africa Cup of Nations and eventually return to the FIFA U17 World Cup stage.