Golden Eaglet qualifies for Africa U17 Cup of Nations

Nigeria's Golden Eaglets clinched a third-place finish in the WAFU B U17 Championship, defeating hosts Ghana 3-2 in a must-win match on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, to get a coveted spot in next year's Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

Prior to the match, there was uncertainty surrounding the number of teams that would advance to the continental finals. However, just minutes before kickoff, it was announced that Cote d'Ivoire, already in the tournament final, would host next year's Africa U17 Cup of Nations. This meant that Burkina Faso and the third-place winner would automatically qualify for the competition.

Fired up by the words of NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, the Nigerian team took to the field with determination. Imrana Muhammad scored the opening goal in the ninth minute, but Ghana, spurred by home support, equalized 10 minutes later when a Nigerian defender unwittingly put the ball into his net.

Three-time world champions Ghana took the lead for the first time in the game in the 27th minute when Harve Gbafa profited from a defensive blunder to beat goalkeeper Dominic Chinedu in goal for Nigeria.

Six minutes later, Abdulmuiz Adeleke, who got a brace in the Eaglets’ 3-0 defeat of Togo in their final group phase match, rattled Starlets’ goalkeeper Michael Armah, but the ball was cleared out of danger.

The Eaglets were unrelenting, and four minutes before half-time, Adeleke who had made attempts, took his tournament tally to three when he nodded in the equalizer from a pull-out by John Ogwuche.

The second half saw both teams display impressive attacking football and with the prospects of a penalty shootout looming, it was the visitors who found the back of the net as the sizzling Adeleke scored the winner in the second minute of added time, securing Nigeria's spot in next year's continental finals.