NFF sets timeline for U-20, U-17 camps as coaching appointments await board approval

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has outlined plans for the resumption of camping activities for the country’s U-20 and U-17 men’s national teams later this year, Sport360NG reports.

According to information made available to sport360ng.com, the Flying Eagles are expected to reconvene in July, while the Golden Eaglets are projected to open camp in September as part of early preparations for upcoming age-grade competitions.

Preparations for the U-20 side are set to commence first, despite the absence of substantive head coaches for both teams. Applications for the vacant U-17 and U-20 managerial roles were submitted to the federation earlier this week, with appointments subject to ratification by the NFF Executive Board before any official announcement is made.

A source familiar with the development indicated that the staggered resumption dates were strategically arranged to afford both teams sufficient preparation time ahead of their respective tournaments.

Uncertainty Over Regional Qualifiers

As of February 2026, there is no confirmed schedule for the WAFU B U-20 Championship, the regional competition that traditionally serves as a qualifying pathway to the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The most recent WAFU B qualifying tournament was held in May 2025, producing representatives for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that following the 2025 edition, the U-20 AFCON will maintain its biennial format, with subsequent tournaments slated for 2027, 2029 and 2031. This effectively rules out a 2026 edition of the competition.

Similarly, the WAFU B calendar for the U-17 category has yet to be officially released, leaving uncertainty surrounding the regional qualification process for the Golden Eaglets this year.

Focus on 2026 U-17 AFCON

Meanwhile, the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place in Morocco from April 25 to May 15, 2026. The tournament will feature 16 teams and will also serve as a qualifying route to the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Nigeria, five-time U-17 world champions, did not secure qualification for the 2026 finals.

Host nation Morocco will headline the participating teams, alongside Senegal, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola and Mozambique. Four additional slots remain to be filled pending the conclusion or confirmation of outstanding zonal competitions.

With coaching decisions pending and regional qualification schedules still evolving, Nigeria’s youth football structure enters a decisive planning phase as preparations begin for the next continental cycle.