WAFUB U17: Eaglets beat Burkina Faso to set up CIV final

Nigeria U17s, the Golden Eaglets on Friday beat Burkina Faso 1-0 to set up a final rematch against Les Elephanteaux of CIV in the WAFU UFOA B U17 tournament going on in Lome, Togo.

The Eaglets, coached by Fatai Amoo were virtually handed a route back into the competition after the Ivorians beat Ghana handsomely in their final Group B game but the Nigerians made the most of their destiny on Friday.

Michael Emmanuel Papo rounded off a good team move in the 77th minute to score the only goal of the well fought contest at Stade de Kegue in the Togolese capital.

Victory means the Golden Eaglets are now not only eligible to battle for the tournament’s diadem on Monday, but have also joined the teams that have qualified for the 2021 U17 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Morocco from 13th – 31st March.

Fatai Amoo’s wards started the competition on a shaky note losing by the odd goal to Cote d’Ivoire, but then were held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana in their second game in the three-team Group B. They looked to be on their way home until Cote d’Ivoire trashed Ghana 3-1 to allow the Eaglets slip into the last four.

The Golden Eaglets will now face Cote d I’voire after the young Elephants edged Niger Republic 1-0 in the second semi final game decided at the same venue on Friday night.

Substitute Seydou Traore scored the game’s only goal early in the second half to maintain Cote d I’voire’s 100% record in the competition and earn them a second meeting against Nigeria in Lome.

Monday’s final will be preceded by the third place playoff between Burkina Faso and Niger at the Stade Kegue.