Four Golden Eaglets Named Among WAFU B U-17 Best Despite Semifinal Exit

Four Golden Eaglets Named Among WAFU B U-17 Best Despite Semifinal Exit

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ghana in the semi-finals of the 2025 WAFU B U-17 Championship, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for both the 2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The loss, which came at the tournament hosted in Côte d'Ivoire, marks the second consecutive cycle in which the five-time world champions have failed to secure a place at either continental or global youth competitions.

Despite the team’s premature exit, the Golden Eaglets’ individual talent did not go unnoticed. Four Nigerian players were named in the tournament’s Best XI by the WAFU B Technical Study Group following the conclusion of the group stage.

Team captain David Edeh leads the quartet of honorees. He is joined by explosive winger Boluwatife Thompson, forward George Agha , who scored a memorable hat-trick against Benin Republic and defensive rock Godwin Menyaga.

Agha was also named Man of the Match in the Benin Republic fixture, while Thompson earned the same distinction in Nigeria’s game against Burkina Faso.

Meanwhile, in the tournament’s first semi-final, Côte d'Ivoire knocked out Burkina Faso with a 2-1 victory. This means, Ghana and Cote D'ivoire who have qualified for the CAF U17 African Nations Cup will face off in the final of the regional age grade tournament.