NIGERIA’s Golden Eaglets have crashed out of the ongoing WAFU-B U17 Championship in Burkina Faso after drawing 1-1 with Côte d’Ivoire in their final group game on Saturday, finishing bottom of their group.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the Nigerian side had entered the encounter under pressure to secure a victory after losing their opening match to Niger Republic on Wednesday, but the draw against the Ivorians ended their hopes of progressing in the competition.
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The result means the Golden Eaglets will miss the 2027 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to be held in Morocco. The U17 AFCON serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U17 World Cup, meaning Nigeria will also miss the global competition for the fourth consecutive time.
Nigeria, coached by Eboboritse Uwejamomere, needed a win against Côte d’Ivoire to keep their campaign alive but failed to achieve the required result after Columbus Igboenyobe cancelled out Alex Bamba’s early goal.
The elimination marks the first time the Golden Eaglets, two-time winners of the WAFU-B Championship, have been knocked out at the group stage.
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Bamba, a defender, gave Côte d’Ivoire the lead in the 17th minute, bundling the ball into the net from a corner-kick delivery.
The Ivorians maintained their advantage until half-time, helped by Nigeria’s wastefulness in front of goal, with Mubarak Fasiu missing a clear scoring opportunity.
Côte d’Ivoire were the superior side for much of the second half and came close to extending their lead when a corner kick struck the crossbar.
However, Nigeria found an equaliser five minutes from time through Igboenyobe, who reacted quickest to a rebound to give the Eaglets a glimmer of hope.
The closing stages produced frantic action as Nigeria pushed for a winning goal, creating two opportunities to snatch victory.
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Abiodun John, however, failed to capitalise on a clear chance after going through on goal, sending his lobbed effort over the bar, while the Ivorian goalkeeper made a crucial save in added time to seal Nigeria’s fate.
Nigeria remain the most successful country in the men’s FIFA U17 World Cup, having won the tournament five times, but the country last featured in the competition in 2019.
