Nigeria’s U-15 boys crashed out of the CAF African Schools Football Championship (WAFU-B Qualifiers) yesterday despite recording a hard-fought Day 2 victory in Ouagadougou.
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The young Nigerians finished third in Group B on goal difference, with Côte d’Ivoire and Benin Republic securing the two available semi-final slots.
Nigeria had revived hopes of qualification earlier in the day after claiming a narrow 1–0 win over Benin Republic.
The result briefly lifted the Future Eagles chances, leaving their destiny dependent on the outcome of the final group fixture between Benin and Côte d’Ivoire.
However, Benin’s 1–0 evening victory over Côte d’Ivoire complicated the standings further, as all three teams ended the group stage level on three points each.
With the head-to-head rule rendered unusable due to the three-way tie, goal difference became the decisive factor.
Unfortunately for Nigeria, their opening-day 4–1 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire proved costly.
The heavy loss left the team with a –2 goal difference, placing them bottom of the tightly contested group.
Côte d’Ivoire advanced as group winners with a +2 goal difference, while Benin booked second place with an even goal return.
The final Group B standings read:
Côte d’Ivoire – 3 pts (+2)
Benin Republic – 3 pts (0)
Nigeria – 3 pts (–2)
Despite the disappointment, Nigeria’s young side showed flashes of promise, particularly in their composed display against Benin.
However, the damage from the first match proved too much to overturn in a competition where every goal and moment mattered.
Côte d’Ivoire and Benin will now proceed to the semi-finals as WAFU-B representatives, while Nigeria reflect on a campaign that ended earlier than anticipated.
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