Niger vs Nigeria: WAFU-B U17 Qualifiers Preview, kick-off time, possible line-up and how to watch
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets begin their quest for a place at the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Niger Republic in the WAFU-B U-17 Championship in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Wednesday.
The Group B encounter is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. Nigerian time, with the five-time world champions seeking a positive start to their campaign in the regional qualifying tournament.
The match comes after Niger played out a 1-1 draw against Côte d’Ivoire in their opening fixture, leaving the young Nigerian side with an opportunity to assess the challenge posed by their West African rivals.
Match details
• Fixture: Niger Republic vs Nigeria
• Competition: WAFU-B U-17 Championship — AFCON Qualifiers
• Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
• Kick-off: 4 p.m. Nigerian time
• Venue: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• Group: B
• Broadcast: WAFU-B YouTube livestream platform
Golden Eaglets target strong start
Head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere has named a 25-player squad for the tournament as Nigeria seek to secure qualification for next year’s U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The squad comprises three goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders and seven forwards, providing the coaching crew with options across the pitch.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside Niger and Côte d’Ivoire. The Eaglets must negotiate the group-stage challenge before advancing to the knockout rounds, where a place at the continental finals will be at stake.
The Nigerian team will be keen to translate its preparation into a disciplined performance, with defensive organisation, midfield control and effective finishing likely to be important against a Niger side that has already demonstrated its ability to compete in the group.
Niger arrive after Côte d’Ivoire draw
Niger enter the contest after earning a 1-1 draw against Côte d’Ivoire in their opening match.
That result suggests the Eaglets cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. Niger will be looking to build on their opening performance and collect points against one of the region’s most decorated teams at this age level.
For Nigeria, the challenge will be to create clear scoring opportunities while limiting Niger’s chances on the counterattack. A strong start could also help the Eaglets settle into the match and manage the pressure of a tournament where every group-stage result matters.
Possible Nigeria line-up
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced a 25-player squad, but an official starting XI for the Niger match was not available at the time of writing. The following should therefore be treated as a possible selection framework, not a confirmed line-up:
Goalkeepers: Mutiu Adenle, Abdulfatai Seriki, Richard Oguama.
Defenders: Chinedu Nchoje, Goodness Ukwubile, Victor Ogbonna, Daniel Dickson, Chinonso Umenozie, Jamiu Issa, Daniel Agunzi.
Midfielders: Israel Irabor, Adewolu Lukman, Izuchukwu Ogboji, Sochima Emeka, Michael Ekundayo, Al-Ameen Adegboya, Saeed Hussaini, Abubakar Abdulrasaq.
Forwards: Godswill Usoro, Daniel Lawrence, Chiedozie Igboenyobe, Faruq Azeez, David Fagbamila, Mubarak Fasiu, Abiodun John.
The final starting XI will depend on the coach’s tactical plan, the players’ fitness and the assessment of Niger’s strengths and weaknesses.
How to watch Niger vs Nigeria
The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. Nigerian time on Wednesday, October 14.
However, no confirmed television broadcaster or official livestream link could be verified at the time of publication. Supporters should check the Nigeria Football Federation’s official channels and WAFU Zone B communications for any matchday broadcast announcement.
Seven nations competing for AFCON qualification
The WAFU-B U-17 Championship is taking place in Ouagadougou from October 10 to 23, 2026, with seven countries competing for qualification to the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The participating nations are Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Niger Republic, Nigeria and Togo. Hosts Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana and Togo are in Group A, while Nigeria, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire make up Group B.
For the Golden Eaglets, Wednesday’s fixture represents the first major test of their campaign. A positive result would give Nigeria a foundation to build on as they pursue a return to the continental stage.
