The decision by CAF to amend the policy on the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test was seen by many as a way back for four key midfielders of the Nigeria U17 team to get a way back into the team for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF amended the rule by saying teams won’t be disqualified from the tournament unless four or more of their players fail the test which is meant to curb the menace of age cheats in African youth football. Nigeria already sent home four players after conducting their own test.
Largely affected was the midfield of the team with key players on grade 5, a step below what is agreed by CAF but the NFF pegged that of Nigeria at 4. The move is due to the fact that players on grade 4 won’t be above 6 even if they end up with more growth between now and then. Something that isn’t guarantee with players on grade 5.
Following reprieve by CAF, the technical crew approached the NFF to at least include two of the players but their appeal was rejected by the NFF. They are however adamant that they will include the players in their world cup team if they progress from the AFCON.
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Furthermore, the much talked about training camp in Germany has been aborted and move are underway to have the team spend a week in Morocco before the start of the tournament in Algeria at the end of the month.
Damian Waziri
