Five-time world champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, will battle Ghana’s Black Starlets in the second semi-final of the WAFU-B U-17 Championship at the Stade Charles Konan Banny, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, tonight (Tuesday).
After missing out on the final last year—which cost them a place at the 2025 U-17 AFCON and the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup—the Eaglets are determined to avoid a repeat.
Nigeria have been solid so far, scoring four goals and conceding just once to top Group B with four points. Manu Garba’s boys thrashed Benin Republic 4-1 in their opening match before holding Burkina Faso to a goalless draw.
Ghana, meanwhile, struggled to reach this stage. They drew 1-1 with Togo, lost 3-0 to hosts Ivory Coast, and only sealed qualification with a dramatic 3-1 win over Niger Republic.
The rivalry between the two nations runs deep at U-17 level, with Nigeria enjoying the upper hand. The Eaglets beat the Black Starlets 4-2 in the 2022 opener in Cape Coast and 3-2 in last year’s bronze medal match in Accra.
Victory today would not only secure a place in the final but also qualification for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. Kick-off is at 8 pm.
