Nigeria U17 head coach, Eboboritse Uwejamomere, has disclosed that the Golden Eaglets have begun preparations for next week's friendly tournament in China and the WAFU B U17 Championship qualifiers scheduled for November.
Uwejamomere, who was recently appointed to lead the Golden Eaglets, revealed that the team opened camp last Tuesday and has already held several training sessions.
According to him, about 95 per cent of the invited players are graduates of last year's FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) U15 programme, giving them the opportunity to progress into the U17 setup.
Speaking with NFF Media, Uwejamomere said the China tour will provide the technical crew with the chance to assess the players before narrowing the squad.
"It's been good. We opened camp last Tuesday. We have had a few training sessions," Uwejamomere said.
"Just preparing for the China trip that will come up midweek next week. So, I am happy so far, the large proportion of players invited, I think probably about 95 percent of them are from FIFA TDS U15 scheme of last year.
"So, we have given them the privilege to come in for the first camp of the new U17 as they have been in the U15 boys so they can progress now."
He added that after returning from China, attention will shift fully to the WAFU B U17 qualifiers, with another camping programme expected to begin in late July or early August to accommodate new players, including outstanding performers from the U15 category.
"We will have a look at them then go to China and then when we come back the few that really impress that we think will meet up will be invited back.
"Apart from the China trip, the main one is the WAFU B U17 qualifiers in November, set to take place in Burkina Faso.
"So, once we come back from China the full focus is on that. We are planning again, as we come back from China to open camp in late July or early August then we will start seeing some new players including the top performing U15 boys."
Uwejamomere's target is to mould a strong Golden Eaglets side capable of qualifying for the U17 AFCON and the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Adeyemi Adewale
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