The Abuja camp of the Golden Eaglets is presently buzzing with 90 players who have reported back as the team steps up preparations for the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.

According to the Head Coach, Nduka Ugbade, all the 90 players had undergone the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test and passed the same.

“About 90 players who have passed the MRI have resumed camp on Wednesday (yesterday). Thereafter, the number will be trimmed down to 60 after the official MRI is conducted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“I am greatly satisfied with the number of talents seen so far. I have a pool of athletes to choose from but talent in itself is no longer enough. The talent has to be utilized, trained, and go through the requirement to produce results in the game,” he said.

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The 15th edition of the cadet tournament will see 11 national U-17 sides head to Algeria in April in a bid to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

It will be recalled that the camp was suspended to enable members of the coaching staff to go on a break for the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly polls.

With the team now returning from the break, Coach Nduka Ugbade and his assistants will continue their drilling of the Eaglets to be in top shape ahead of the U-17 AFCON.

The Golden Eaglets who qualified for the U-17 AFCON as WAFU B U-17 champions are drawn in Group B along with South Africa, Morocco and Zambia. (Daily Trust)