U-17 AFCON: Morocco Beats Nigeria, Reaches Quarter Finals

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria were defeated 1-0 by Morocco in their U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group B encounter, with the Atlas Cubs securing a quarter-final spot after six (6) points from two games, at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine, Algeria.

Morocco earned all three points to sail into the quarter-finals of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations as the Golden Eaglets wasted a basketful of opportunities in a match they dominated for large periods in Constantine on Wednesday.

An own goal by Tochukwu Ogboji as early as the 2^nd minute was all the Moroccans needed to make it within a step of booking a spot at this year’s U-17 FIFA World Cup.

• Read more: U-17 AFCON Match Preview: Nigeria Vs Morocco

Abubakar Abdullahi missed an effort after Emmanuel Michael put him through in the 21^st minute, and captain Precious Williams also failed to make hay as the North Africans mounted an impregnable rearguard.

Defender Yahaya Lawali, who was again picked as Man-of-the-Match despite Nigeria’s loss, shot towards the sky with a through ball in the 69^th minute.

Substitutes Light Eke and Adewale Quadri provided the only real tests for the Moroccan goalkeeper in a frantic second period, but Morocco stood firm to close out the game as the match finished 1-0.

FULL-TIME! ⏰

Morocco take all three points to go top of group B 🔝#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/qZDVnsAlwB

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 3, 2023

As happened in their opening match against Zambia, Nigeria created chance after chance but lacked precision in front of goal.

The Golden Eaglets will now play South Africa on Saturday, and victory is imperative in order to be assured of qualification to the last eight of the U-17 AFCON.

📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇳🇬 0-1 🇲🇦

Morocco advance to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory against Nigeria 🦁#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/X5TlasikvQ

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 3, 2023