AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets kicked off their WAFU-B U17 Championship campaign in style, cruising to a 4-1 victory over Benin Republic’s Baby Cheetahs in Yamoussoukro on Wednesday.
George Agha stole the spotlight with a brilliant hat-trick, while David Edeh added a touch of class with a well-taken free-kick to seal a dominant performance from the five-time world champions.
The scoring started early when Agha calmly converted a penalty just three minutes in, after Boluwatife Thompson was brought down inside the area. Barely two minutes later, Edeh doubled the lead with a stunning free-kick that left the Benin goalkeeper rooted.
Nigeria’s pressure was relentless, and Agha struck again in the 14th minute to hand Manu Garba’s boys a commanding three-goal cushion. The striker then completed his treble just after the half-hour mark, capitalising on a defensive lapse following neat interplay between Thompson and Edeh.
Benin, however, managed to grab a goal of their own just before the break, when Jeremy Zannou’s low drive beat the Nigerian goalkeeper in the 45th minute.
Despite the late consolation, the Golden Eaglets’ dominance was never in doubt as they laid down an early marker in the regional tournament.
