Nigeria’s Flying Eagles could be handed a lifeline in their quest to qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering including the team in the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The development follows Ghana’s reported removal as hosts of the continental competition, potentially creating an opening for Nigeria to secure a place in the tournament.

Sports247 reports that CAF has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the Flying Eagles on standby for a possible invitation to the 2027 U-20 AFCON.

Nigeria initially missed out on automatic qualification after suffering a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.

Burkina Faso secured the region’s automatic qualification ticket, while Ghana were expected to occupy the second available place as hosts of the continental tournament.

However, Ghana’s reported failure to meet CAF’s hosting requirements has thrown the arrangement into uncertainty, with the continental governing body expected to appoint a new host.

The situation could work in Nigeria’s favour, with the Flying Eagles potentially considered for the place initially reserved for Ghana as tournament hosts, having finished runners-up in the WAFU Zone B competition.

Although CAF is yet to make an official announcement confirming Nigeria’s inclusion, the reported development has raised hopes of a second opportunity for the seven-time African champions.

The 2027 U-20 AFCON will carry additional significance as it will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

According to CAF’s qualification format, the four semi-finalists will represent the continent at the global tournament.

Nigeria’s possible inclusion would therefore provide the Flying Eagles with another opportunity to compete for continental honours and keep their World Cup ambitions alive.

The West African giants have a proud history at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having finished runners-up on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005.

For now, Nigeria will await CAF’s final decision, with the reported development offering renewed hope after their disappointment in the WAFU Zone B final.

Tony Elumelu played a supreme role in getting investment bank Afrinvest back on track in 2011 after the global financial meltdown pushed the investment bank to the brink, its chief executive recalled in a letter to the tycoon seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

The multisectoral magnate, who is the top shareholder of United Bank for Africa, the Transcorp Group, and Seplat Energy, granted a soft loan of $1 million to Ike Chioke, the CEO of the financial institution, as a mark of urgent support when the firm direly needed the cash to recapitalise, the latter said.

“Fifteen years ago, Afrinvest was navigating one of the most challenging periods in its history, as we struggled to rebuild and recapitalise the business in the aftermath of the global financial crisis,” Mr Chioke said.

“At that critical juncture, when the future was far from certain, you made the remarkable decision to lend me US$1 million of your personal funds. You placed your confidence not simply in the prospects of a business but in me as an individual, my integrity, my determination and my conviction that Afrinvest could emerge stronger from adversity.”

This June, Mr Chioke eventually completed the repayment of the credit, according to the letter, describing the gesture as an extraordinary act of friendship, generosity and trust.

READ ALSO: Afrinvest repays undocumented $1 million from Elumelu with interest

Mr Elumelu, whose economic vision is anchored on what he calls “Africapitalism” – an investment philosophy that prioritises the private sector’s role in democratising the wealth Africa needs to power large-scale growth, has been involved in active philanthropic initiatives on the continent.

In March, his foremost charity project, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, turned sixteen, and he said the initiative had disbursed over $100 million in seed capital to 24,000 entrepreneurs in Africa and created more than 1.5 million jobs over the period.

The foundation expects to fund an additional 3,200 entrepreneurs this year, it said in September.

Mr Chioke applauded the profound impact Mr Elumelu’s financial assistance has had on Afrinvest, notably transforming it into a diversified regional financial services group with an expanding universe of clients and operations in asset management, investment banking, research & consulting, and securities trading.