Golden Eaglets Stars Shine As Nigeria Set For Semi-Final Showdown With Ghana

Four players from Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have been named in the WAFU B U-17 Championship Group Stage Best XI as the five-time world champions prepare for high-stakes semi-final clash against eternal rivals Ghana.

Forward George Agba, captain David Edeh, midfielder Thompson Boluwatife and defender Godwin Menyaga made the cut after strong performances in the group phase. Their inclusion underlines Nigeria’s dominance in Group B, where Manu Garba’s boys collected four points from two matches.

The Eaglets opened their campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over the Benin Republic before settling for a goalless draw against Burkina Faso.

Those results were enough to secure top spot in their group and book a semi-final date with the Black Starlets of Ghana at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro tonight, September 30, at 8pm.

Victory will not only seal a place in the final but also guarantee qualification for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. Last year, the Golden Eaglets missed out on a place at the AFCON and, by extension, the FIFA U-17 World Cup, after failing to reach the final of the regional competition.

Ghana, on the other hand, endured a rocky path to the semi-finals. They drew 1-1 with Togo, suffered a heavy defeat to hosts Ivory Coast, and were minutes from elimination before two late goals against Niger turned the tide in their favour.

The clash is steeped in history and rivalry. Nigeria have enjoyed recent success over the Black Starlets in this competition, beating them 4-2 in the opening game of the 2022 edition in Cape Coast, and later edging them 3-2 in the bronze medal match at last year’s tournament in Accra.

Source: Naijanews