The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have been beaten 2-0 by the Black Starlets of Ghana in the semi-final of the 2025 WAFU-B U17 tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, on Tuesday night, www.aclsports.com reports.
Nigeria were two goals down at the break following strikes from Michael Awuli (22nd minute) and Robinho Yao (32nd minute) for Ghana, and their second-half fight was not enough, as the Black Starlets ran out winners at the Stade Charles Konan Banny, Yamoussoukro.
Head coach of the Golden Eaglets, Manu Garba, made a change to the starting XI by handing a start to Wisdom Innocent, as Famous Umole is listed on the bench. Wingers Boluwatife Thompson and Abdulsamad Salisu kept their places in attack alongside striker George Agha.
Having played all their group games at Stade du Lycee Scientifique, it was the first time the Eaglets would be playing at this venue, and they nearly went in front early on. A failed clearance from the Ghana goalkeeper fell kindly to George Agha, but the striker was not composed enough, as the chance went begging.
From that moment on, it was all Ghana as they went ahead to take the lead in the 22nd minute. The Nigerian defence was nowhere to be found, allowing Michael Awuli the time and space to fire into the corner for his side’s first goal.
Just two minutes after the half-hour mark, Robinho Yao showed some great composure to control a pass at the edge of the area before shooting beyond Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Great Edafe. Ghana could have added to the tally before the break, as Joseph Narbi missed some clear-cut chances, and they went into the break with a two-goal lead.
After the interval, Nigeria huffed and puffed, but they failed to find a way back into the game as Ghana held on for a memorable win over the Golden Eaglets. Ghana will now face the hosts, Côte d’Ivoire, in the final of the tournament, while Nigeria and Burkina Faso will contest the third-place match on Friday.
For failing to reach the final of the regional tournament, Nigeria will be missing the next year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, which also serves as a qualifying tournament for the next U17 World Cup.
