AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s under-17 men’s football team, the Golden Eaglets, opened their WAFU B U-17 Championship campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Niger in Ouagadougou on Wednesday evening.
Niger took the lead in the 19th minute after a goalkeeping error. Goalkeeper Mutiu Adedayo failed to deal with a cross inside the box, and Abdoul Razaq Zada calmly slotted the loose ball home.
The Eaglets, coached by Eboboritse Uwejamomere, struggled to create clear chances in the first half and went into the break a goal down. Niger’s defence stayed organised after the restart and gave Nigeria little room to work in the final third.
Niger sealed the win three minutes before regular time as Abdoul Rakilou finished confidently after a pass split the Nigerian defence.
Substitute Mubarak Fasiu gave them a late lifeline with a strike in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The goal came too late, and the final whistle followed soon after.
The result puts Niger in command of the group. They have four points from two games after drawing 1-1 with Côte d’Ivoire in their opener, and they have booked their place in the semi-finals.
The Eaglets now face a must-win game against Côte d’Ivoire, who have one point, for the remaining semi-final place. Group B has only three teams, so Niger have already played both of their games while Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire each have one to play.
The WAFU-B tournament serves as the qualifier for the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco next year.
