As the 2024 WAFU B U-17 tournament approaches, Manu Garba, the head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 national football team, the Golden Eaglets, has responded to concerns regarding Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests in his camp.
Garba has dismissed worries surrounding the MRI tests, clarifying the situation as the team gears up for the upcoming tournament in Ghana.
Earlier reports had highlighted challenges faced by Garba in finalizing his squad for the tournament, with MRI tests playing a crucial role in the selection process. Initially, a list of 51 invited players was trimmed due to issues arising from the MRI tests.
Emphasising the significance of players meeting the criteria for genuine U-17 status, Garba stressed the importance of official documents and MRI tests conducted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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He explained that players with authentic U-17 status, supported by verified documents and satisfactory MRI test results, remain in the camp despite initial setbacks.
Addressing the situation, Garba clarified, “The genuine U-17 players, according to their official documents made available to the NFF and the MRI tests conducted by the football body, are still in the camp preparing for the WAFU B U-17 tournament.”
He further explained that some players had to leave the camp after MRI tests conducted by their academies revealed discrepancies.
Additionally, Garba highlighted the NFF’s strict requirements for MRI test results, emphasizing grades between Grade 1 to 4 as acceptable. Players with Grade 5 results were asked to leave the camp. He also noted that players providing misleading MRI results upon entering the camp were detected and sent home.
Despite these challenges, Garba expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the tournament, highlighting that most players received favorable MRI grades at the NFF-approved medical center. He affirmed the team’s determination to have a successful outing at the WAFU B U-17 tournament in Accra, Ghana.
The Golden Eaglets, boasting a rich history as five-time world champions and current WAFU B U-17 titleholders, are set to defend their title against Burkina Faso on May 16th. Ahead of the tournament, the team has participated in nine friendly matches, securing six wins, two draws, and suffering one defeat.
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