The Sport Integrity Foundation (SIF) has highly commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the technical crew of the Golden Eaglets for recording a 100 percent pass rate in the mandatory MRI age-verification tests. The flawless medical screening, conducted ahead of the WAFU B U-17 Championship in Burkina Faso, has been hailed as a massive victory for transparency in Nigerian youth football.
In an official statement signed by SIF Secretary, Mr. Godwin Dele, the foundation praised the meticulous approach of the coaching and backroom staff. The body noted that the clean bill of health reflects a deep commitment to ethical sportsmanship and proves that the handlers did a thorough job in ensuring only genuinely qualified players were selected for the regional tournament.
The foundation emphasized that the coaches demonstrated fairness, firmness, and sincerity throughout the selection process. The SIF also extended its applause to the NFF for providing the necessary administrative tools while granting the technical crew the absolute independence to operate without interference, thereby protecting the integrity of the team. Furthermore, the body lauded the NSC for its steadfast support of the squad and the NFF, particularly at a critical time when Nigerian football is undergoing much-needed structural reforms.
Beyond the commendations, the SIF seized the moment to challenge both the NSC and the NFF to heavily prioritize the Nationwide League One (NLO) Youth League in their proposed football reform agenda. The foundation highlighted a striking statistic to back its demand: 18 out of the 25 players selected for the 2026 WAFU B tournament were scouted directly from the NLO. This, according to the SIF, perfectly underscores the league’s vital role as the undeniable bedrock of Nigerian youth football and proves the effectiveness of a centralized league structure.
Despite the commendable efforts of the NLO management, the foundation expressed concern over the apparent lack of adequate institutional support needed to fully develop and empower the youth league. The SIF, therefore, strongly urged sports administrators to place the NLO at the core of Nigeria’s upcoming football reforms, ensuring the establishment of a safe, ethical, structured, and centralized platform capable of returning the nation to its glory days of global football dominance.
