Classy Golden Eaglets qualify for 2023 U-17 AFCON in style
Five-time World Champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a convincing 3-1 victory over the U-17 boys of Cote d’Ivoire in yesterday’s semi-final match at the ongoing WAFU B Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana. For the second time in less than one month, Nigeria has […]
Five-time World Champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a convincing 3-1 victory over the U-17 boys of Cote d’Ivoire in yesterday’s semi-final match at the ongoing WAFU B Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana.
For the second time in less than one month, Nigeria has underscored her stature in youth football on the African continent as it will be recalled that the Flying Eagles had beaten the Ivorian U-20 national team 2-1 on their way to winning the WAFU B Championship held last month in Niamey, Niger Republic.
Two goals by deadball expert Emmanuel Michael and a glancing header by Abubakar Idris Abdullahi handed Nigeria the well deserved victory.
Yet, the Eaglets uncharacteristically conceded first when Yan Diomande scored from the penalty spot in the very first minute after a foul in the Nigerian box.
Stung to life by the goal, the Golden Eaglets launched onslaught after onslaught and were rewarded on the half-hour mark when Emmanuel Michael, who scored a spectacular goal from a 22-yard free-kick in the opening match against hosts Ghana, found the range off another free-kick from the right wing.
Thirteen minutes later, Nigeria were ahead for the first time in the encounter when Michael, again from a free kick at the edge of the box, blindsided goalkeeper Mohamed Cisse with an intelligent attempt that swept past the static wall.
The Ivorians came into the second half determined to browbeat the Eaglets with their size and stoutness, but they were pegged further back on the hour mark when Abubakar Idris Abdullahi found the net with a glancing header.
Four minutes later, the Ivorians were down to 10 men after Makhete Moustapha N’diaye was shown the red card.
Another free-kick by Emmanuel Michael in the 77th minute missed the target narrowly, and Precious Tonye Williams came very close with four minutes left after a brilliant team move set him up with a clear chance.
The victory, apart from securing the Golden Eaglets a place in Friday’s finals also confirms that Nigeria will be one of the eight participating teams at next year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.
Meanwhile, defender and deadball prodigy Emmanuel Michael was presented with the Man-of-the-Match award, for the third consecutive match.