By Gabriel Ameh
The Sport Integrity Foundation (SIF) has congratulated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission (NSC), coaches and players of the Golden Eaglets after the Nigeria U17 team recorded a clean result in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests conducted ahead of the WAFU B U17 Championship in Burkina Faso.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Godwin Dele, SIF described the outcome as a commendable demonstration of transparency and proper player selection by the technical team.
The organisation said the successful MRI results showed that the coaches and backroom staff had carried out a thorough selection process to ensure that only eligible players were included in the squad.
SIF also commended the NFF for giving the coaches the freedom and resources needed to carry out their responsibilities without compromising the integrity of the team.
According to the foundation, its monitoring of the team-building process indicated that the coaches were fair, firm and considerate in their decision-making.
The group also praised the NSC for its support to the NFF and the Golden Eaglets, particularly at a time when Nigeria’s football administration is undergoing reforms.
SIF seeks stronger NLO Youth League
While celebrating the Golden Eaglets’ MRI results, SIF called on the NFF and NSC to give greater institutional support to the Nationwide League One (NLO), particularly its Youth League.
The foundation said a stronger and properly structured youth league would provide an important pathway for identifying and developing young football talents across Nigeria.
SIF disclosed that 18 of the 25 players selected for the 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship are players from the Nationwide League One, describing the figure as evidence of the importance of a structured domestic football system to national-team development.
The organisation, however, expressed concern over what it described as inadequate institutional support for the NLO Youth League despite efforts by the league’s management.
SIF urged the NFF and NSC to make the strengthening of the NLO Youth League a key part of the ongoing football reforms.
It said a properly supported NLO Youth League would help provide Nigeria with a safer, more ethical, structured and centralised platform for developing future football stars.
Source: Sport Integrity Foundation (SIF)
