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Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-1 defeat to Niger Republic in their opening Group B match at the WAFU-B U-17 Boys’ Championship in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Wednesday.
The result leaves Nigeria under pressure ahead of their decisive group-stage encounter against Côte d’Ivoire, with their hopes of reaching the semi-finals and qualifying for next year’s U-17 Africa Cup of Nations at stake.
Niger took a 1-0 lead into half-time before both teams scored after the break. The Nigeriens held on to secure all three points at the Stade du 4-Août.
The defeat marks a disappointing start for the five-time FIFA U-17 World Cup champions, who entered the competition aiming to advance to the knockout stage.
Niger Strengthen Position In Group B
Niger entered the fixture after drawing 1-1 with Côte d’Ivoire in their opening match.
That draw had given Niger one point, but Wednesday’s victory took their tally to four points and strengthened their position in the race for a semi-final place.
Nigeria, meanwhile, remain without a point after their first outing. The Golden Eaglets found the net in the second half but could not recover from the deficit.
The match report did not provide the names of the goalscorers.
Côte d’Ivoire Clash Becomes Crucial
Nigeria will face Côte d’Ivoire in their final Group B fixture on Saturday, October 17, according to the supplied report.
Head coach Eboboritse Uwejamomere and his players must now prepare for a high-pressure encounter after failing to secure the anticipated opening victory.
Before the tournament, Uwejamomere had stressed the importance of respecting both Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, warning against underestimating either opponent.
A win over Côte d’Ivoire would give Nigeria three points, but qualification would also depend on the final group standings and the competition’s applicable rules.
Another setback could end the Golden Eaglets’ campaign before the semi-finals.
Côte d’Ivoire also have a strong incentive to win as they seek to improve their position in Group B following their opening draw against Niger.
AFCON Qualification At Stake
The WAFU-B U-17 Championship serves as a qualifying competition for the next U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be hosted by Morocco in 2027.
Nigeria’s slow start therefore threatens both their regional title ambitions and their hopes of reaching the continental tournament.
Despite the Golden Eaglets’ history as five-time FIFA U-17 World Cup champions, they must now deliver a strong performance against Côte d’Ivoire to keep their campaign alive.
The coaching crew will look to address the team’s shortcomings, improve their attacking efficiency and prepare the players for Saturday’s decisive fixture.
