Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, will begin their campaign at the WAFU B U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament in Ivory Coast with an opening match against the Baby Cheetahs of Benin Republic today (Wednesday).
The fixture, scheduled for the Stade du Lycée Scientifique in Yamoussoukro, presents coach Manu Garba’s side with the opportunity to secure three crucial points.
Read Also: Tottenham Clears 19 Year Old Loanee, Damola Ajayi In The EFL Third Round Battle Against Doncaster Rovers
Benin, meanwhile, will be determined to bounce back after their 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their opening Group B game.
Garba, who famously guided Nigeria to U-17 World Cup glory in 2013 and the U-20 AFCON crown in 2015, has been handed a third spell with the Golden Eaglets.
His immediate mandate is to secure qualification for the next U-17 AFCON, which also serves as the pathway to the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Nigeria are drawn in Group B, which features only three nations, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, and the Golden Eaglets.
Group A, on the other hand, has hosts Ivory Coast, Ghana, Niger, and Togo.
The Ivorians made a strong start with a 2-0 win over Niger and thrashed Ghana Starlets 3-0.
That defeat leaves Ghana in a must-win situation against Niger in their final group match, while also hoping Ivory Coast defeat Togo to keep their qualification hopes alive.
For Nigeria, today’s opener against Benin will be vital in setting the tone for the tournament.
With Garba’s experience and the Eaglets’ pedigree, expectations are high for a winning start as the team begins its quest for continental qualification
