![Golden Eaglets of Nigeria](https://b.blackcampus.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG-20240529-WA00002.jpg)
Golden Eaglets of Nigeria at the WAFU B U-17 Chanmpioship in Ghana | Credit: NFF
The Nigerian U17 team clinched third place and secured a spot in the 2025 Africa U17 Cup of Nations after a thrilling 3-2 victory against Ghana’s Starlets at the WAFU B U17 Championship on Tuesday.
Uncertainty had surrounded the number of teams advancing to the 2025 Africa U17 Cup of Nations from the tournament in Ghana. However, clarity emerged just before the match kicked off when it was confirmed that Côte d’Ivoire, already in the final, would host next year’s continental finals. This meant that Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso (regardless of the final match outcome), and the third-place winner from the final day’s earlier game would qualify for the tournament in Abidjan.
Motivated by the words of NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the Eaglets entered the field with determination. Imrana Muhammad opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a goal from a goalmouth scramble. However, Ghana quickly responded, equalizing ten minutes later when a Nigerian defender accidentally scored an own goal.
Ghana, the three-time world champions, took the lead in the 27th minute through Harve Gbafa, who capitalized on a defensive error to score past Nigerian goalkeeper Dominic Chinedu.
The Eaglets fought back, and six minutes later, Abdulmuiz Adeleke nearly scored, but the Ghanaian defense cleared the ball.
Nigeria continued to press, and four minutes before halftime, Adeleke headed in an equalizer from a John Ogwuche cross, bringing his tournament tally to three goals.
The second half saw both teams playing attacking football, with Ogwuche narrowly missing a rebound shot in the 79th minute. In the second minute of added time, with both teams preparing for a possible penalty shootout, Adeleke scored the decisive goal, securing Nigeria’s place in next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations.
This hard-fought victory ensured that Nigeria would compete in the continental finals, showcasing their resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
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