Nigeria’s U-15 boys’ and girls’ teams have been handed challenging draws for the 2025 African Secondary School Championship (ASSC) zonal qualifiers, which will take place in Côte d’Ivoire.
The draw, conducted on 21 November 2025 at the WAFU-B headquarters in Abidjan, placed the boys’ team in Group B, where they will clash with hosts Côte d’Ivoire and Benin Republic for a spot in the finals. Meanwhile, Group A features Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo.
On the girls’ side, Nigeria is in Group A alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Benin Republic. Their Group B rivals are Togo, Ghana, and Burkina Faso.
Only the zonal winners in each category will progress to the continental finals, which are set to be held from 1–4 December 2025 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The draw underscores the competitiveness of the qualifying phase, particularly in West Africa, where traditional youth powerhouses are involved. For Nigeria, known for its strong youth football pedigree, the challenge is clear: navigate a tough group and secure qualification against familiar regional adversaries.
Editorial
When Nigeria’s U-15 sides were drawn into their respective groups for the 2025 African Secondary School Championship, it was not just another entry on a tournament schedule it was a litmus test of ambition. In youth football, where talent abounds but the pathway to excellence is narrow, such draws matter.
The boys’ draw is particularly telling. Facing Côte d’Ivoire the hosts, with home advantage and Benin Republic, Nigeria will need to summon both maturity and urgency. These are not casual encounters; they are battles for pride and progress. Historically, West African school-level competitions have produced not just future internationals, but the raw materials of greatness.
On the girls’ side, the task is equally steep. Côte d’Ivoire and Benin in Group A bring physicality, structure, and a hunger to prove themselves. That Nigeria ended up in this group is both a risk and an opportunity: risk because the margin for error is slim, opportunity because this could galvanise a squad capable of leadership beyond raw talent.
What makes this draw significant is that only the first-placed team advances. There is no safety net. The format rewards excellence, not participation. For Nigeria, this is no rehearsal it’s the real thing. The pressure on the technical team, the players, and even the administrators is immense.
Yet, if Nigeria is to live up to its reputation if it is to unearth the next generation of stars who will one day don the Super Eagles jersey — then moments like these must be seized. The draw is not just about overcoming rivals. It’s about building a legacy. The school pitch, in this sense, is the proving ground for Africa’s future elite. And Nigeria must not only compete it must dominate.
Did You Know?
- The draw for the 2025 ASSC zonal qualifiers took place at the WAFU-B headquarters in Abidjan, reflecting strong regional engagement.
- Only zonal winners advance from the qualifiers to the ASSC continental finals.
- The 2025 ASSC finals are scheduled to take place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso between 1–4 December.
- In the previous edition, Ghana’s girls’ U-15 team won the title, while their boys finished in third place.
- The WAFU-B Zone has historically been a hotbed for youth football talent, making this zonal qualifier one of the most competitive paths to the ASSC finals.
