Nigeria were beaten 4-1 by Cote d’Ivoire in their CAF School Football Championship match, at the Stade August 4 in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
The Baby Eagles, made up of players from a number of schools that took part in the national competition in Abuja two months ago, had a tough test against Cote d’Ivoire.
The Ivorians struck first in the 6th minute when N’Goran Yao Philippe finished calmly after a quick attacking move. Diarrassouba DDramanethen doubled the lead in the 18th minute.
Meïté Christ Loan made it 3–0 in the 22nd minute, capping Côte d’Ivoire’s dominant start with a powerful strike. Konaté Mory added the fourth in the 34th minute, leaving Nigeria with a mountain to climb before the break.
Peter Moses pulled one back for Nigeria in the 37th minute, but the late consolation failed to spark a comeback.
The Nigerian School boys now face a must-win final Group B clash against Benin Republic, as they seek to revive their campaign.
The zonal qualifying tournament is taking place in Ouagadougou. The four-day fiesta will witness competition in both male and female categories, though Nigeria is taking part in only the male event.
Group A of the male competition has hosts Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger Republic, with Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Benin Republic in Group B.
NFF.