Eighteen members of the Nigerian U-17 team have failed the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test conducted to verify their ages.

The affected players were screened out during the Grade 1 test ordered by FIFA for all the countries that will participate in CAF/FIFA age grade football competitions.

The Media Officer of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Demola Olajire, confirmed the development on Friday, adding that the over-age players had been ordered out of the camp.

“The NFF conducted MRI tests for the players presented to us by the coaches as U-17. The players failed our MRI test and they are out of the Golden Eaglets team," he said.

"So, we are looking for new players now, but Nigerians should note that we are not the parents of these players.”

It will be recalled that Nigeria has, in the past, faced many accusations of fielding over-age players in age-grade competitions.
Reacting to the latest scandal, former coach of the Flying Eagles, Tunde Disu, advised Coach Manu Garba and his assistants to go back to schools to select new players ahead of their Africa U-17 qualifying series, which kicks off in September.

“I don’t see this incident as a disgrace; rather it’s a wake-up call. Nigeria still has time to amend the situation," he said.

"Let the coaches go to the academies and schools to scout for players who are within the age limit. I think the MRI test introduced by FIFA will force Nigeria and other African countries to go back to the grassroots to pick true U-17 players.”

Yomieluv: Most African,and south American are guilty of fielding overage playerz..imagine,taiye taiwo's younga brother is reffered to "bros"in his area by people that are above 30yearz.i wonda how old he is,truly.when he claims below 30yrz.anoda case study is Julius Aghaowa,a serving policeman then,claiming unda 30,when he's truly above 45....mmmtcheww.

saxywale: suprised?No!
We win youth competition cos we present over aged players.
That's why they become useless by the time they reach the senior team.

elampiro:
How true is this? Do you know his suppose brother? Or are you just repeating what you read somewhere about Taiye Taiwo having a twin brother? Please throw more light because Taiye Taiwo was quoted to have said his twin brother died as an infant.

Yomieluv: Most African,and south American are guilty of fielding overage playerz..imagine,taiye taiwo's younga brother is reffered to "bros"in his area by people that are above 30yearz.i wonda how old he is,truly.when he claims below 30yrz.anoda case study is Julius Aghaowa,a serving policeman then,claiming unda 30,when he's truly above 45....mmmtcheww.

elampiro:
How true is this? Do you know his suppose brother? Or are you just repeating what you read somewhere about Taiye Taiwo having a twin brother? Please throw more light because Taiye Taiwo was quoted to have said his twin brother died as an infant.

elampiro:
How true is this? Do you know his suppose brother? Or are you just repeating what you read somewhere about Taiye Taiwo having a twin brother? Please throw more light because Taiye Taiwo was quoted to have said his twin brother died as an infant.

elampiro:
How true is this? Do you know his suppose brother? Or are you just repeating what you read somewhere about Taiye Taiwo having a twin brother? Please throw more light because Taiye Taiwo was quoted to have said his twin brother died as an infant.

Mucokey:
you could at least read in btw lines to understand his write up before referring to already over _flogged_issue of denial of Mr. Taiye Taiwo . He specifically stated Taiye Taiwo's YOUNGER BROTHER while you re hia still defending de indefendable Taiwo....think