SCORENigeria can exclusively report that several administrative lapses were to blame for a 2-1 loss suffered by the Golden Eaglets against Niger that has now put Nigeria’s chances of qualifying to the U17 AFCON.
It was gathered that young coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere could not sit on the bench during the Niger match because he does not have a CAF coaching badge.
‘Ebobo’ has a UEFA B license, which CAF do not recognise following their row with the European football union.
He is currently doing his CAF A license.
His assistant Olumide Ajibolade, who has a CAF C license, was given a waiver to be on the sidelines for the Eaglets.
A source informed SCORENigeria: “The NFF were very much aware of this problem after the case of Finidi George, where he could not sit on the bench because he only has UEFA coaching badges not recognised by CAF and so his assistant has been the one sitting on the bench.
SCORENigeria can also report that Mutiu Adedayo, whose fumble led to Niger opening goal, was not the team’s first choice.
The team’s first-choice goalkeeper, who was on duty in all their preparatory matches, did not make the final cut to Burkina Faso after he failed the MRI age test.
Nigeria must now have to beat defending champions Cote d’Ivoire Saturday to reach the semifinal of the WAFU B qualifying tournament.
