Covid-19 dealt another big blow to the aspirations of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets as their camping would have to stop abruptly and this set of players unable to fulfil their dream to play in a FIFA cadet competition at least for now after the latest decision from the world football governing body.
The Golden Eaglets have been sweating it out at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja for over one month with series of friendly games played as they strive to prepare for the WAFU Under 17 Championship in Benin Republic but that has been altered due to the letter from FIFA.
“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bureau of the FIFA Council has decided to cancel the 2021 editions of the men’s FIFA U-20 World Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup, and to appoint Indonesia and Peru respectively, who were due to host the tournaments in 2021, as the hosts of the 2023 editions,” FIFA wrote in a press release made available to www.dasportstainment247.com.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges for the hosting of international sporting events and to have a restrictive effect on international travel. FIFA has therefore regularly consulted the relevant stakeholders, including the host member associations as well as the confederations involved in both tournaments originally scheduled to take place in 2021.
“In doing so, it became clear that the global situation has failed to normalise to a sufficient level to address the challenges associated with hosting both tournaments, including the feasibility of the relevant qualification pathways.
“FIFA would like to express its gratitude to the host member associations, as well as the authorities in Indonesia and Peru, for their commitment and the tournament preparations made so far. FIFA looks forward to continuing to work closely together with the host countries to organise successful tournaments,” the press statement concluded.
