Africa’s U-17 Showdown Kicks Off Without Nigeria
No one saw this coming. The 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has started—and for the first time in living memory, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets aren’t playing. Nigeria’s youth squads have practically owned the trophy room, clocking up five U-17 World Cup titles and consistently churning out future superstars. That’s why their empty seat in Morocco is raising eyebrows and a ton of questions back home.
This year, the tournament isn’t just business as usual. CAF pushed the envelope, expanding the event to 16 teams and creating more space for fresh faces to make a name for themselves. The stakes are sky-high: 10 slots at the next FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar are up for grabs. The opening whistle blew with hosts Morocco putting on a show, thrashing Uganda 5-0. If anyone doubted the commitment of the teams that made it, that result sets the tone—nobody’s holding back.
Why Nigeria Isn’t in Morocco—and What It Means
So what exactly happened to Nigeria? The team couldn’t get through WAFU B, the West African qualifying group. Even though the Golden Eaglets took down Côte d’Ivoire, it just wasn’t enough. Their third-place finish meant the door to Morocco slammed shut. That’s not just a hiccup; Nigeria also missed the 2023 U-17 World Cup, making this back-to-back blows for a country used to dominating youth football.
It stings extra hard because this is a nation that’s seen its brightest sports gems cut their teeth at youth tournaments like this one. Remember Kelechi Iheanacho in 2013? That team finished as runners-up, but he left with a new reputation—and a ticket to football stardom. The year 2007? Nigeria lifted the trophy in style. Now, the spotlight has shifted, and questions are swirling: Has the country’s talent pipeline dried up? Are training systems outdated? Critics and fans alike are calling for some soul-searching, worried that a golden era might be slipping away.
This edition also introduced a redesigned, eye-catching winners’ trophy—a symbol of change and ambition in African youth football. It’s getting ready to be hoisted by a new generation, just not by players from a country with one of the proudest legacies in the game.
Meanwhile, teams like Morocco are seizing the moment. Their opening rout of Uganda wasn’t just a win; it was a message. As 16 squads battle for those coveted World Cup spots, the CAF U-17 AFCON is set to serve up both spectacle and a glimpse of tomorrow’s global football stars. But one thing’s for sure—there’s a Nigerian-shaped hole in the lineup, and everyone can feel it.