Golden Eaglets Exit U-17 AFCON Contention After 2-0 Loss to Ghana
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have been eliminated from the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-17 World Cup following a 2-0 defeat against Ghana’s Black Starlets in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Golden Eaglets arrive in Yamoussoukro ahead of the WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament.
Match Overview
In a highly anticipated West African showdown, Ghana took control early, setting the tone for the encounter.
Michael Awuli opened the scoring with a clinical strike, and Yao Gavi extended Ghana’s advantage, leaving Nigeria two goals behind before the break.
Despite a spirited second-half effort from the Eaglets, their failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities and a composed Ghanaian defense ensured the scoreline remained unchanged. This loss marks another setback in Nigeria’s youth football consistency.
Coach Garba’s Reflections
Manu Garba, the head coach, expressed his disappointment after the final whistle, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings.
“We fought hard but couldn’t finish our chances. At this stage, errors are costly, and Ghana took full advantage. It’s a tough outcome for the squad and the supporters who had faith in us,” Garba commented.
This defeat means the five-time U-17 world champions will miss out on next year’s CAF U-17 AFCON, which doubles as the qualifying tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Meanwhile, Ghana progresses with renewed vigor and optimism.