The Nigeria Football Federation has prioritized pre-camping MRI scans for all players to ensure only those within the right age bracket represent the country at the U17 men’s national team, the Golden Eaglets.

According to the team media officer, Francis Achi, the football body is leaving no margin for errors in order to avoid extensive decimation of the team due to failed MRI tests as in the past.

Players failing the MRI test have been part of the fabric of the team for several years now, which is why the NFF is assiduously working towards nipping it in the bud this term.

In February 2023, three key players who were in Ghana for the WAFU qualifiers failed the age test despite an initial order for all the players in camp to do their own private MRI tests before an official one conducted later by the NFF.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets, under the tutelage of Manu Garba, are training daily at the FIFA Goal Project pitch at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, preparatory to their WAFU Zone B title defence in Ghana from May 15–29, 2024.

The record five-time world champions have been drawn in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo following the draw conducted on Friday, which also pitches host Ghana against Benin Republic and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A.

The Golden Eaglets showed promises in their first test game on Saturday by thrashing Ramsaky Football Club 4-2 at the FIFA Goal Project, where a string of test games are lined up to put them in proper shape for the sub-regional tournament.