WAFU B U-17: Golden Eaglets Beat Togo, Qualifies For Semi-Finals

Nigeria’s U17 football team, the Golden Eaglets, reached the semi finals of the WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana on Tuesday after a 3-1 victory against Togo’s Junior Sparrowhawks, handing Coach Nduka Ugbade’s boys six points from two matches.

Hosts Ghana, who received a 4-2 thrashing by five-time world champions Nigeria on the opening day, cannot earn more than three points with its only remaining game against the Togo on Friday. The Togolese have similar arithmetical chances of qualification in the campaign as either team can only come second behind Nigeria.

The in-form Golden Eaglets opened the scoring when Kevwe Iyede beat goalkeeper Komlan Ignace Kiti in the 10^th minute. Captain Precious Tonye Williams then added another in the 22^nd minute to make the scores 2-0. Nigeria went into the halftime break with a commanding lead as the Golden Eagles continued its dominance.

• Read more: Golden Eaglets defeat hosts Ghana 4-2 in AFCON qualifier

In the 75^th minute, the Togolese cut the deficit in half after a great piece of play, but Light Eke shattered any glimmer of hope the Togolese had. Eke struck with nine minutes to go to, ensuring a handsome 3-1 win for Nigeria.

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria defender Emmanuel Michael was voted as the Man of the Match for the second time at the WAFU B U17 tournament in Ghana.

The Golden Eaglets now need to win the semi-final against the 2nd placed team from Group B to qualify for the U17 Africa Cup of  Nations (AFCON), as one of two qualifiers from WAFU Zone B.

The semi final matches of the WAFU B U17 Championship will be played on Monday.

Chidi Nwoke/NFF.