KHARTOUM, SUDAN – Africa’s junior football kings Nigeria could grace this year’s Council for East and Central African Football Association (Cecafa) U-17 tournament which will be held in Khartoum and Juba, Southern Sudan.

Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye told Times Sport yesterday at the El Merreikh stadium that they have already spoken to the Nigerians about being part of the event.

"Unless something goes wrong, we are more than confident that Nigeria’s U-17s will compete in next month’s event,” said Musonye.

The El Merreikh Investment Group in conjunction with the Sudan Football Association will host the tournament in Khartoum and Southern Sudan.

Musonye said that although some of his counterparts within the Cecafa family have been negative on the aspect of inviting guest teams, he thinks it’s the best way to gauge the level of football in the region.

"We don’t have to feel very comfortable in our region. We have to start thinking of weighing ourselves with Africa’s finest,” explained Musonye.

"Nigeria has one of the best under-17 talents in the world. At this level, the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, "Jay Jay” Okocha and Sunday Oliseh made a name for themselves.”

"Tentatively, the groups will be based in Khartoum and Juba although there is a possibility of placing the third group in Kessala (another Sudanese city),” Musonye added.

It will be the first time ever that a major international sports event will take place in the semi-autonomous Sudanese region ravaged by war for decades.

Already, ten countries have confirmed participation in the event which is now expected to run from August 19-30. The Unity Government of Sudan is the main sponsor of the tournament after splashing $400,000 (about Rwf 226 million).

Burundi is the defending champion of the U-17 event after beating Uganda Kobs in the final two years ago.

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