![Edward Ochigbo](https://b.blackcampus.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG-20240524-WA0001.jpg)
Edward Ochigbo named Player of the Match. Credit: NFF
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have secured a spot in the semi-finals of the WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana after a decisive 3-0 victory over Togo’s Baby Sparrow Hawks. This win propelled them to the top of Group B and set up a semi-final clash with Cote d’Ivoire’s Baby Elephants. The match, initially scheduled for Wednesday evening, was postponed to Thursday morning due to a waterlogged pitch caused by heavy rainfall.
Forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke played a pivotal role, scoring twice in the morning match, while Rapha Adams added another goal, marking his second of the tournament. Adeleke missed an early chance in the 6th minute but redeemed himself in the 11th minute with a goal assisted by Abdulmuiz Oladimeji, easing the pressure on the Togolese team, which had already lost its previous two matches.
Adams, who scored the decisive goal against Niger Republic on Sunday, came close in the 20th minute but missed the target. However, he made no mistake in the 35th minute, heading in a perfect cross from captain Simon Cletus. Adeleke secured his second goal and Nigeria’s third in the 57th minute with another assist from Cletus. Although he missed a penalty in the 68th minute, Nigeria’s Edward Ochigbo was named Player of the Match.
This victory ensured the Golden Eaglets finished as Group B winners, following Burkina Faso’s 1-0 win over Niger Republic in the other group match. Nigeria will now face Cote d’Ivoire in the second semi-final on Saturday at 7 PM Nigeria time, after the first semi-final between Ghana and Burkina Faso.
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