Five-time world champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria advanced to the finals of the 2023 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in style after defeating the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the semi final by three goals to one.
The Golden Eaglets have qualified for the final of the West African Football Union (WAFU) age-grade tournament in 2022 with two goals from deadball master Emmanuel Michael and a glancing header by Abubakar Idris Abdullahi sealed the victory.
The Eaglets conceded first when Yan Diomande scored from the penalty spot in the very first minute after a foul in the Nigerian box but leveled on the half-hour mark when Emmanuel Michael, who scored a spectacular goal from a 22-yard free-kick in the opening match against hosts Ghana, found the range off another free-kick from the right wing.
Nigeria took the lead for the first time 13 minutes later when Michael, again from a free kick on the outskirts of the box, startled goalkeeper Mohamed Cisse with a clever attempt that swept beyond the static wall. Abubakar Idris Abdullahi found the net with a glancing header in the second half to seal the victory.
The Eaglets will take on Burkina Faso in the final on Friday. However, their victory over the Ivorians ensures that they will be one of the eight sides competing in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria next year.
