Sporting Lagos forward Abuchi Lawrence has been named in Nigeria’s final squad for the 2026 WAFU-B U17 Championship in Burkina Faso.
The inclusion was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a post on its official X account, with Lawrence listed among the forwards selected to represent the country at the regional tournament.
Lawrence’s selection is a significant step in his young career after he was previously invited to the Golden Eaglets’ 62-player screening camp in Abuja. The NFF’s initial list, released in August, identified the youngster as a Sporting Lagos forward. (NFF)
The forward will now be part of the Nigerian squad heading to Ouagadougou as the Golden Eaglets begin their campaign to reclaim their place among the leading teams in African youth football.
Nigeria’s U17 side will compete in the WAFU-B Championship from October 10 to 23, with the tournament also serving as an important pathway towards the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification process through the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
For Sporting Lagos, Lawrence’s selection provides another opportunity for the club’s young players to gain recognition at the national level. His progression from the initial screening group to the final squad highlights the competition he faced during the selection process.
The Golden Eaglets have already departed Nigeria for Burkina Faso ahead of the competition, where they will look to make a strong impression and secure their route towards the continental stage.
With Lawrence now carrying the Sporting Lagos name on the international stage, attention will turn to how much of an impact the young forward can make when Nigeria begins its WAFU-B campaign.
His selection also gives Sporting Lagos supporters another reason to follow the Golden Eaglets closely as Nigeria begins its pursuit of another successful run at the U17 level.
