Nigeria 2-0 Burkina Faso: Golden Eaglets secure Bronze medal at WAFU U-17 Cup
The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria clinched the bronze medal at the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship qualifiers with a commanding 2-0 defeat of Burkina Faso.
The team led by Manu Garva dominated the second half at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire.
Golden Eaglets at WAFU U-17 Cup
They kicked off their campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over Benin Republic and against Burkina Faso ended in a 0-0 draw to secure their qualification from the group stage with four points.
However, in the semifinals they suffered a 2-0 loss to the Black Starlets of Ghana.
The defeat eliminated Nigeria from contention for the U-17 AFCON and, consequently, the U-17 World Cup next year.
Despite the semifinal setback, the Golden Eaglets bounced back in the third-place playoff against Burkina Faso.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert.
The second half saw Nigeria take control, with Ahmed Yusuf breaking the deadlock just five minutes in.
The victory was sealed in the 77th minute when substitute Famous Umole delivered a composed finish from a precise through ball by Paul Ugwu, securing the 2-0 win.
Ahmed Yusuf’s standout performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
The victory means that Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets took home the bronze medal as the record FIFA U-17 World Cup winners continue their development.