WAFU U17: Nigeria beat Côte d'Ivoire to reach Final and Algeria 2023 U17 AFCON

By Emmanuel Oladele - Golden Eaglets on Nigeria on Tuesday thrashed the Young Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire in the WAFU B U17 Championship at the the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana.

In the early minutes of the first half, Yan Diamande got the opening goal for the Ivorians from the spot after a Golden Eaglets defender brought down the Ivorian in his own area. Golden Eaglets left-back Emmanuel Michael got the equaliser for Nigeria in the 31st minute via a free-kick. Twelve minutes later, the free-kick specialist score another free-kick for Nigeria from outside the 18-yard box to give the Uduka Ugbade led side a 2-1 lead before the half time.

In the 60th Idris Abdullahi got the winning goal for the Golden Eaglets via a superb header from Yahaya Lawali's free-kick to complete Nigeria 3-1 thrashing of the Ivorian at the Cape Coast Stadium.

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are now through to the final of the 2022 WAFU B U17 Championship, and moreover the 2023 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria which hold early next year.

The second semi-final game between Burkina Faso and Ghana holds later this evening at 7:30PM Nigeria Time (+1 GMT), at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Ghana. The winner of the encounter will face Nigeria in the final.

WAFU U17 Semi Final Results

Tuesdays 21st June 2022

• Nigeria 3-1 Cote d'Ivoire - Full-Time

Goalscorers

• Yan Diamande (P) - Côte d' Ivoire

• Emmanuel Michael 31', 43' - Nigeria

• Idris Abdullahi 60' - Nigeria

Man of the Match - Emmanuel Michael

Official Line-up