Nigeria will no longer host the 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship, as the tournament has been moved to Cote d’Ivoire following logistical issues and uncompleted stadium renovation work.
The West African Football Union (WAFU) Zone B made the decision this week, citing the ongoing renovation at one of Nigeria’s proposed venues — the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne as the main reason for relocating the youth football competition.
Initially scheduled to hold in Nigeria from September 11 to 25, 2025, the regional tournament was to be played at two main venues: the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. However, with the latter now under renovation, WAFU officials have opted for a change of location to ensure proper facilities and logistics are in place before the kickoff date.
According to reports, renovation work at the Remo Stars Stadium only began this week, less than a month before the tournament was expected to begin. This raised concerns within WAFU and among participating teams about the readiness of the venue to host international matches.
In response, WAFU’s leadership quickly moved to protect the integrity of the tournament by relocating it to Cote d’Ivoire, a country with proven football infrastructure and recent experience hosting international competitions.
The 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship is expected to feature eight national teams from West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and one invited team. The competition is crucial for youth football development in the region and also serves as a qualifier for the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets, are the defending champions of the WAFU B tournament, having lifted the title in 2022 and qualified for the 2023 U-17 AFCON in Algeria. With a strong reputation in youth football — including five FIFA U-17 World Cup titles — Nigeria is widely seen as a powerhouse in the category.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to issue an official statement on the development, but sources within the football body say efforts were made to convince WAFU to allow the tournament to remain in Nigeria. However, the short time left and the slow pace of renovation made the switch inevitable.
Sports analysts have expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s failure to host, especially as the country was hoping to use the tournament to promote grassroots football and showcase its sports infrastructure to the region.
“This is a missed opportunity,” said a football analyst in Lagos. “Hosting international tournaments helps boost local football, tourism, and economic activity. The delay in preparing the stadium shows poor planning and coordination.”
Cote d’Ivoire, the new host nation, is no stranger to major football events. The country successfully hosted the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, winning praise for its modern stadiums and organisation. WAFU officials are confident that the U-17 championship will proceed smoothly under their watch.
The tournament, which kicks off on September 11, will now be held in Abidjan, with final matches scheduled for September 25. Final preparations are reportedly in top gear, with Cote d’Ivoire’s football federation already setting up logistics for the arrival of teams and officials.
Despite the change in venue, expectations remain high for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, who are currently in camp preparing for the competition. Head Coach Manu Garba and his technical crew are focused on selecting the best young talents to defend Nigeria’s title.
Meanwhile, fans and stakeholders have called on Nigerian authorities to improve planning and execution when it comes to international sports events. Many believe the failure to deliver a fully ready stadium reflects poorly on the country’s image and risks its chances of hosting future competitions.
“The government and the NFF must learn from this,” said a youth coach in Ogun State. “We had the honour of hosting top West African teams, and we blew it because of late preparations. This is not the first time, and it should be the last.”
As the countdown to the tournament continues, all eyes will now turn to Cote d’Ivoire, where the next generation of West African football stars will battle for glory and a spot at the continental stage.
