The Golden Eaglets will take on Burkina Faso in a quarter-final game at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations today, with an eye for a ticket to the World Cup.
Coach Nduka Ugbade’s side face their fellow West Africans in a repeat of the WAFU B championship final which the Nigerians won 2-1 last year. Nigeria earned their place in the quarter-final tie after finishing second in Group B, while their foes were second-placed in Group C. While the Golden Eaglets are favorites to win the tie and seal a semi-final spot, Coach Ugbade admits that the game won’t be easy.
The Golden Eaglets have won the U-17 World Cup five times in 12 appearances and Ugbade believes making it to the global showpiece again will be enough motivation for his side going into Thursday’s tie. While inspired to revenge their loss to Nigeria last year, the Young Stallions’ coach Brahima Traore said a lot has changed since then. Despite managing only three points from their group Coach Brahima believes his boys have all it takes to shock the Nigerians. Nigeria’s U-17 AFCON quarter-final match against Burkina Faso will start by 8:00 pm on Thursday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria.
Chidozie Chima | August 16, 2024
