CAF U-17 qualification format not good for Africa–Garba

Even though the Golden Eaglets qualified for next year’s Africa U-17 Championship in Tanzania with a 4
-2 win on penalties over Ghana’s Starlets in the final of the West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B
tournament in Niger last Saturday, the coach of the Nigerian side, Manu Garba still thinks the mode of
qualification for competing teams is a minus to Africa.

According to FootballGhana.com, Garba, also praised Ghana for their gallant performance.

“I must say that this is not the best for CAF because West Africa is the centre of African football,
especially in youth football. Nigeria has won the World Cup five times and Ghana has won it on three
occasions.

Read Also: Eaglets defeat Ghana to qualify for AFCON 2019

“It’s just unfortunate that Ghana, Niger and Cote d’Ivoire will not play in the Africa competition. CAF
must change the format; I still congratulate Ghana even in defeat”, said Garba at a post-match conference.

On his part, Ghana U-17 coach Abdul Karim Zito said: “No coach who is participating in the tournament is happy with the mode of qualification for the World Cup. Now, one of the best counties in terms of talents (Cote d’Ivoire) is out of this tournament and so will not be at the World Cup. CAF opted for quantity instead of quality”, he added.

The Eaglets secured their berth after they edged past arch-rivals Ghana 3-1 on penalties after fulltime
scores stood at 1-1.

The Starlets, therefore, lost the opportunity to play in the U-17 Africa Championship to be staged in
Tanzania in May 2019.