NFF rejects overage players in Golden Eaglets’ camp

The head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 side, Manu Garba, has confirmed that some players failed the Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, test in camp.

The Golden Eaglets are preparing for the 2024 WAFU B U-17 tournament in Ghana.

Garba is facing challenges finalising his squad after the MRI tests saw the initial 54 invited players drastically cut.

“Let me clear the air on this matter. The genuine U-17 players, according to their official document 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.

“When the camp opened last month, the very sincere football academies had to withdraw their players after the MRI tests they conducted showed that their players were on Grade 5. These players had to leave the camp immediately,” he told nff.com.

He continued: “Those (academies) who were not sincere and thought they could find a way through one way or another have been exposed after the NFF conducted its own MRI a few days ago and found the results earlier presented by their players before entering the camp did not tally with the requirements of the NFF.”

Garba added: “The NFF insists on players whose results are between Grades 1 and 4. Players on Grade 5 have been asked to leave the camp.”