WAFU B U17 Championship: 10-man Eaglets pip Niger Republic
Nigeria joined Burkina Faso at the top of group B of the WAFU B U17 Championship after a lone-goal defeat of Niger Republic at the University of Accra Stadium on Sunday.
Rapha Adams’ powerful header in the 31st minute was the difference between the two West African neighbours in a match that Nigeria played the final 27 minutes with 10 men after Chibuike Okorie was shown the red card.
Victory means the five-time world champions climbed to four points, same as Burkina Faso, ahead of the closing day of group B attrition on Wednesday when the Eaglets confront group whipping boys Togo at the Accra Sports Stadium, while Burkina Faso square up to three-pointer Niger Republic at the University of Accra Stadium.
Nigeria captain Simon Cletus wins Player of the Match award, just as he did in the match against Burkina Faso on Day 1.
A draw against the Togolese team on Wednesday will guarantee the Eaglets a place in the tournament’s semi-finals.
Golden Eaglets started their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Burkina Faso in their title defence charge.
The most successful team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup hopes to retain the WAFU-B title in Ghana and qualify for the 2024 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team could not qualify for the AFCON the last time under Nduka Ugbade and will work towards a better outing should they make it to the tournament this year.