Sportblog247.com reports that Simon Cletus, a 16-year-old Senior Secondary 1 student, has been appointed captain of the Golden Eaglets for their opening game of the 2024 WAFU B U17 Championship. Cletus, who plays as an attacking midfielder and dons the number 10 jersey, will lead the team against Burkina Faso at the Accra University Stadium on Thursday.

Cletus, an alum of the 2023 U17 AFCON in Algeria, where he played in the quarterfinals against Burkina Faso, was initially not in the plans of former coach Mduka Ugbade. However, he moved up the ranks after some key players failed MRI tests. Known for his leadership qualities and cool-headed demeanor, Cletus has proven himself indispensable.

The Golden Eaglets, coached by Manu Garba, attended a pre-match meeting on Wednesday with the match commissioner to discuss jersey colors for the upcoming game. The team completed their final training session without any injury concerns, with all twenty players participating.

In preparation for potential knockout rounds, Coach Manu Garba scouted Group A opponents, witnessing hosts Ghana dominate Ivory Coast 5-1.