Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will renew their historic rivalry with Ghana’s Black Starlets when each side conflict within the semi-final of the WAFU Zone B U17 Championship in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, on Tuesday.
The match, billed for Stade Charles Konan Banny at 8 p.m. Nigeria time, guarantees to be one of many standout fixtures of the match.
The Eaglets secured their place on the last-four stage after a tense goalless draw with Burkina Faso on Saturday night on the Stade Lycée Scientifique.
Regardless of dominating possession and creating a number of openings, the Nigerian boys have been unable to interrupt down the Child Stallions’ disciplined defence.
Burkina Faso relied on counter-attacks however have been equally stored at bay by the resolute Nigerian backline.
Nigeria’s ahead Boluwatife Thompson, whose dazzling runs and fast decision-making continuously unsettled the Burkinabe defence, was named Man of the Match.
The consequence meant Nigeria completed high of Group B, organising the much-anticipated semi-final in opposition to Ghana.
Ghana, in the meantime, sealed second place in Group A after defeating Niger 3-1 of their remaining group fixture, courtesy of late targets from Kagawa Mensah and Robinho Yao Gavi.
Hosts Côte d’Ivoire topped the group with a most 9 factors, scoring six targets with out conceding any, and can face Burkina Faso within the different semi-final.
For Nigeria, Tuesday’s conflict isn’t just about reaching the ultimate but additionally about securing a ticket to the 2025 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.
A win in opposition to Ghana would assure a return to the continental showpiece, additional underlining the Eaglets’ repute as perennial contenders on the youth stage.
Head Coach Manu Garba, who guided Nigeria to FIFA U17 World Cup glory in 2013, has expressed confidence in his group’s progress.
Talking with reporters in Cote d’Ivoire, Garba mentioned his gamers are steadily enhancing regardless of being a brand new group with little worldwide expertise.
“My boys did very effectively in opposition to Benin Republic. That was their first worldwide sport, and most of them had by no means even boarded an airplane earlier than this match. This can be a utterly new group, none of them performed within the final version of WAFU B in Ghana,” Garba defined.
“Because the match progresses, they may get higher. We wish to win each match right here as a result of our aim is to stay champions of WAFU-B.”
The Golden Eaglets started their marketing campaign in emphatic type, dismantling Benin Republic 4-1 with 4 targets scored inside 35 minutes.
That efficiency re-established them as one of many groups to beat, however their draw in opposition to Burkina Faso highlighted areas in want of enchancment because the knockout rounds start.
The rivalry with Ghana provides further spice to the encounter. Each nations boast wealthy histories on the U17 stage, with Nigeria successful the FIFA U17 World Cup a document 5 occasions, whereas Ghana has lifted the trophy twice and claimed two Africa U17 titles.
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The Black Starlets final appeared on the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in 2017, once they completed runners-up and reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
For Nigeria, the stakes are equally excessive. The Eaglets are aiming to defend their regional crown and proceed the nation’s dominance on the youth stage, however the true take a look at will come in opposition to their West African neighbours in Tuesday’s semi-final.
