Golden Eaglets Eye AFCON Qualification in Semi-Final Clash with Ghana

Golden Eaglets Eye AFCON Qualification in Semi-Final Clash with Ghana

By Admin 

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are poised for a decisive showdown with Ghana’s Black Starlets in the semi-final of the ongoing WAFU-B U17 Championship, set to take place at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM Nigerian time, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Having claimed the FIFA U-17 World Cup title a record five times, Nigeria's U-17 side has shown impressive form in this year’s regional competition. The Eaglets emerged top of Group B with four points, scoring four goals and conceding just once in their two group-stage matches.

In contrast, the Black Starlets had a more challenging route to the semi-finals. Ghana began their Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Togo, suffered a 3-0 defeat to hosts Côte d'Ivoire, and were on the brink of elimination before a dramatic late surge secured a 3-1 victory over Niger Republic.

The semi-final encounter between these two West African football powerhouses is expected to be fiercely contested. Recent history, however, favours Nigeria. The Eaglets defeated the Black Starlets 4-2 in the opening match of the 2022 WAFU-B tournament in Cape Coast, and followed that up with a 3-2 victory in the bronze medal match of the same edition held in Accra.

A win on Tuesday will not only guarantee Nigeria a place in the final but also seal qualification for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, further cementing the Eaglets' status as regional heavyweights.