Nigeria national under-17 football team

The team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 hosted by China, as well as the 1993, 2007, 2013, and 2015 editions (becoming only the second team since Brazil to win it back to back); making them the first team ever to win the junior world cup five times.^[4] They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995 and 2013.

After the 2007 World Cup victory there was some discussion as to whether the success should be rewarded in the form of cash, or if longer-term investments were more suitable for teenage players. It was pointed out that some previous players had found themselves reduced to poverty due to injury or mismanagement of their funds.^[4]

Heading into the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, head coach Henry Nwosu was replaced by John Obuh, coach of Kwara United.^[5]

Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, they participated again in the 2013 edition of the tournament. Planning was thrown into disarray however in August when key members of the team was determined by MRI scanning to be overage and excluded from the team.^[6] In their first match, the team defeated the defending champions Mexico with a 6–1 score. They only failed to defeat Sweden in the group stage, but they did so in the semi-finals. In the final match they defeated Mexico for a second time, obtaining their fourth U-17 World Cup^[7] and becoming the national team to win the most U-17 tournaments as at 2023.

The team were again the subject of age-cheating accusations when, a total of 26 players from the 60-strong squad were sent home from their training camp in 2016 after failing compulsory MRI scans used to determine age ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier.^[8] Amidst all the age cheating accusations, the team has never been found guilty of fielding overage players in any competition. All the players accused of being overage were caught at the Abuja training camp and sent home before they played any game for the team.^[6][8]

Intercontinental

• FIFA U-17 World Cup
  • Winners: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, 2015
  • Runners-up: 1987, 2001, 2009

Continental

• Africa U-17 Cup of Nations
  • Winners: 2001, 2007
  • Runners-up: 1995, 2013
  • Third-place: 2003

Others

• UEFA–CAF Meridian Cup
  • Winners: 1997

The following players were named in the squad for the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations between 29 April – 19 May.^[9]

Caps and goals are correct as of 1 May 2023, after the match against Mali.

More information No., Pos. ...

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Richard Odoh	(2006-11-23) 23 November 2006 (age 19)	3	0	HB Abuja
16	1GK	Temiloluwa Adelakin	(2006-06-12) 12 June 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Box2Box
23	1GK	Gift Adie	(2007-02-07) 7 February 2007 (age 19)	0	0	Paul E
2	2DF	Yahaya Lawali	(2006-06-06) 6 June 2006 (age 19)	3	0	Mahanaim
3	2DF	Emmanuel Michael	(2006-06-16) 16 June 2006 (age 19)	3	0	Simon Ben
5	2DF	Joseph Ogboji	(2006-12-15) 15 December 2006 (age 19)	3	0	Purple Crown
6	2DF	Jeremiah Olaleke	(2006-02-20) 20 February 2006 (age 20)	3	0	Ablaze
15	2DF	Israel Usulor	(2007-06-20) 20 June 2007 (age 18)	0	0	Real Sapphire
21	2DF	Chijoke Linus	(2006-07-31) 31 July 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Triple 44
22	2DF	Quadri Adewale	(2007-09-07) 7 September 2007 (age 18)	1	0	Nathaniel Boys
4	3MF	Haruna Abdullahi	(2007-01-01) 1 January 2007 (age 19)	0	0	Kurfi Tigers
7	3MF	Umar Abubakar	(2006-02-15) 15 February 2006 (age 20)	1	0	Devine
10	3MF	Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku	(2008-07-15) 15 July 2008 (age 17)	1	0	Triple 44
33	3MF	Abbas Rabiu	(2007-07-04) 4 July 2007 (age 18)	0	0	Kano pillars
12	3MF	Hope Linus	(2006-08-10) 10 August 2006 (age 19)	3	0	EE Sporting Club
14	3MF	Isaac Aondoakaa	(2007-08-28) 28 August 2007 (age 18)	2	0	Bethel Sporting
17	3MF	Simon Cletus	(2008-02-10) 10 February 2008 (age 18)	0	0	Mavlon
24	3MF	Musa Akinfenwa	(2007-09-04) 4 September 2007 (age 18)	0	0	Real Sapphire
25	3MF	Usman Owoyemi	(2006-08-21) 21 August 2006 (age 19)	3	0	Triple 44
26	3MF	Matthew Kingsley	(2006-11-26) 26 November 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Brooke House College
8	4FW	Abubakar Abdullahi	(2006-01-27) 27 January 2006 (age 20)	3	1	Jega United
9	4FW	Precious Williams	(2006-10-02) 2 October 2006 (age 19)	3	0	HB Abuja
11	4FW	Charles Agada	(2006-09-03) 3 September 2006 (age 19)	3	1	Mavlon
13	4FW	Jubril Azeez	(2006-09-08) 8 September 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Right Vision
18	4FW	Simeon Ogbadibo	(2007-06-20) 20 June 2007 (age 18)	3	0	Jossy United
19	4FW	Light Eke	(2006-04-14) 14 April 2006 (age 19)	3	1	C & C
20	4FW	Favour Daniel	(2006-03-12) 12 March 2006 (age 20)	2	1	G12

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• Super Eagles (Nigeria national football team)
• Flying Eagles (Nigeria national under-20 football team)
• African U-17 Championship