NFF Unveils New Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets Coaching Crews Ahead Of WAFU Qualifiers
The NFF has unveiled new coaching crews for the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets ahead of regional qualifiers and tournaments.
The NFF has unveiled new coaching crews for the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets ahead of regional qualifiers and tournaments.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of new technical crews for the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets as preparations intensify for upcoming regional qualifiers ahead of next year’s continental youth championships.
Newly-appointed Flying Eagles Head Coach, Abdu Maikaba, on Thursday unveiled his backroom staff, naming Ortega Deniran as first assistant coach, Abdullahi Biffo as second assistant coach, and Usman Mohammed as goalkeepers’ trainer.
Maikaba, who previously served as assistant coach of the Flying Eagles and has managed several top Nigerian clubs, will begin preparations with the team when camp opens in Abuja on Sunday, May 17. The squad is expected to commence training ahead of the WAFU B U20 Boys Championship scheduled for July.
The regional tournament will serve as the qualification competition for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, a tournament Nigeria has won a record seven times.
Similarly, newly-appointed Golden Eaglets Head Coach, Eboboritse Uwejamomere, also announced his technical crew as Nigeria seeks a return to the FIFA U17 World Cup and pursues a sixth global title.
Uwejamomere selected Olumide Joseph Ajibolade as first assistant coach, Mohammed Kalli Kachala as second assistant coach, and Abdullahi Isa as goalkeepers’ trainer.
The Golden Eaglets are expected to begin preparations for the WAFU B U17 Boys Championship scheduled for September. The tournament will determine qualification for the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, the NFF has confirmed that the draw ceremony for the national competition of the 2026 President Federation Cup will hold on Friday at the federation’s secretariat in Abuja.
The draw follows the conclusion of the national playoff games, which saw four teams eliminated from the women’s competition and six teams knocked out in the men’s category.
A total of 32 teams will compete in the women’s category, while 64 teams will feature in the men’s competition.
Defending champions Kwara United, alongside Shooting Stars, Rangers International, Bendel Insurance, Rivers United, Nasarawa United and Barau FC, are among the major contenders in the men’s competition.
In the women’s category, reigning champions Rivers Angels will battle other top sides including Nasarawa Amazons, Bayelsa Queens, FC Robo Queens, Ibom Angels and Naija Ratels for the title.
Teams from across the federation have qualified for the national competition, setting the stage for another highly competitive edition of Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup tournament.
