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    WAFU U-17 Tourney: Golden Eaglets Face Cote d’Ivoire In Semi-Final Tuesday

    Adeboye AmosuBy Updated:17 Comments1 Min Read
    Head Coach Nduka Ugbade has assured that Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will go all out against their Ivorian counterparts in Tuesday’s first semi final match of the ongoing WAFU B U17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana. Both teams take to the pitch of the 15,000 –capacity facility at 3pm Ghana time (4pm Nigeria time) before the second semi final between hosts Ghana and Burkina Faso at the same venue. “The match against Cote d’Ivoire is of high importance to us. In fact, I have reminded the players that this one is the biggest match of their lives. They must win to secure a ticket to the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, and from there to the U17 World Cup, and from there to several opportunities and possibilities. “Whatever we have done here (beating Ghana and Togo) will not mean much if we don’t go all out and grab our ticket to the AFCON and to the Final. We will throw everything into the fray.” The Eaglets, five-time world champions, decimated Ghana’s Black Starlets 4-2 in the tournament opener and then eased past Togo’s Young Sparrowhawks 3-1 to finish as Group A winners. The Ivorians finished as runners-up of Group B, dominated by Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons. Victory in Tuesday’s encounter will send the Eaglets into the Final and with an opportunity to reclaim the WAFU B U17 title they won in Niamey, Niger Republic four years ago. It also provides the Nigerian youngsters a revenge platform against the Ivorians, who defeated them in the Final of the same competition in Lome early last year. Both Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire qualified for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations from that tournament but the event was cancelled as hosts Morocco developed cold feet with the covid-19 pandemic still biting in some countries. Meanwhile, President of the Ghana Football Association, Simeon Kurt-Okraku on Sunday visited the camp of the Golden Eaglets in his capacity as President of WAFU B region. He reminded the lads that Nigeria belongs to the top echelon of football –playing nations on the African continent, and has produced so many world –class players. He charged the boys to always adhere to the instructions of their coaches in order to grow, advance and excel in the beautiful game.

    Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will face Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-final of the WAFU B U-17 Championship on Tuesday, reports Completesports.com.

    Cote d’lvoire finished second in Group B behind Burkina Faso.

    The Baby Elephants lost 4-2 to Burkina Faso in their final group game on Saturday (today).

    Niger shocked Benin Republic 3-1 in the other group game also on Saturday.

    Read Also:2022 WAFCON: Four Super Falcons Stars Arrive Abuja, 21 Players Now In Camp

    The Golden Eaglets are unbeaten in the competition with victories against hosts Ghana and Togo in Group A.

    Burkina Faso, who are also unbeaten in competition will face Ghana in the other semi-final.

    The two semi-finals will take place at the Cape Coast Stadium.

    The two finalists will will feature at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria next year.

    By Adeboye Amosu


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    Adeboye Amosu

    Adeboye Amosu; Senior Content Writer. NPFL Expert, Super Eagles, Chelsea. Twitter: @SportsAde, Facebook: Adeboye Amosu

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    17 Comments

    1. Chudynak on

      I hope this information is correct. Both Benin and Ivory Coast finished on 3 points and although Ivory Coast had better goal difference, Benin were ahead based on head to head. Was it not Benin that defeated Ivory Coast in the first game of the group?

      Reply
      • kenneth on

        very correct, how ivory coast managed to be the team to face baffles me, because 3 teams had the same point. And with the head to head rule, i believe we should be facing Niger not even Benin. Well only Caf knows

        Reply
      • Adebiyi Olusoji on

        Yes. They are on 3 point but Ivory coast has a better goals than Benin cos they Beat Niger by 6 goals to 1

        Reply
      • Olujjjj on

        The game will end in 3 :3 Nigeria team wil be leading 2 :1 but Cote wil score 3 goals and Nigeria wil sweat to get the 3rd goal .. then it wil go into penalty… The best team that knows how to score penalty will win.

        Reply
    2. TONY on

      This semi-final match-up against The Ivory Coast is not a comforting one. I didn’t expect Benin Republic to lose to Niger. I would have preferred them [Benin Republic]. This Ivory Coast team can score goals and our players are not known for playing heads-up defense at any level. Not trying to be an alarmist, but you can expect a positive reaction from this Ivorian team on Tuesday after they thought they were in, then thought they were down and out, then were back in again. For them, it’s a lifeline.

      Reply
    4. Bobo Colorado Springs on

      Is going to be Ghana vs Nigeria final. I am supporting both Ghana and Nigeria to qualify, both teams also look younger compared to other participating teams.

      Reply
    5. pompei on

      Like Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER movie, Ivory Coast thought they were out, BUT THEY DRAGGED THEM BACK IN.
      BAMBINO AQUILE vs BAMBINO ELEFANTI.
      Win the game, and qualify for the Afcon.
      Lose, and sleep with the fishes.

      Reply
    6. Bobo Colorado Springs on

      The Ivorian attack is Ok, but they have the worst defense. Burkina Faso would have scored at least 9 goals today if not for their incredible misses, always face to face with the ivorian goalkeeper. Ivory coast need to score at least 3 goals against Nigeria if they hope to win because they will conceed a lot of goals against Nigeria.

      Reply
      • Chima E Samuels on

        They’ll fix the lapses before Tuesday. Nigeria will have to conquer everything that stands on its way to be crowned Champion. We can do it!!!

        Reply
    7. Kunle on

      Nigeria should defend first half because they can not deal with long ball and should reserve their energy for second half because they concede late goals a lot. All along, any tactical team will beat ivory coast hands down. Just frustrate them, you will get your goal

      Reply
    8. Kay on

      The way this age competitions are designed is not the best at all. These players are still kids not adults.
      The best for me is to have all the teams in a poll, like a league system. Th best two teams then qualify.

      Reply
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