Few weeks after claiming the WAFU B U20 Championship, Nigeria again underscored her undoubted strength in youth football when she swept to the U17 title in the region, as five-time world champions Golden Eaglets edged the Young Stallions of Burkina Faso 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.

Forward Abubakar Abdullahi had threatened the Burkinabe rear as early as the 8^th minute when his low drive streamed away from goal, but in the 22^nd minute, he rose highest in the box to powerfully nod Emmanuel Michael’s perfect delivery into the net for Nigeria’s first goal.

In the 34^th minute, Abdullahi missed a golden opportunity to make it two for himself and for Nigeria, but he flulled his lines, allowing the Stallions a respite. The miss would knock hard seven minutes later, when Abdulramane Ouedraogo, also with a header, equalized for Burkina Faso.

Two minutes into the second half, Abdullahi got his second and Nigeria’s second, taking the Golden Eaglets to a 2-1 lead. However, 12 minutes later, he should have made it a hat-trick and Nigeria’s third but he lost the opportunity.

That loss could once more have proved costly, as the Stallions broke forward, only to see Nigeria goalkeeper Richard Odoh come up with a magnificent save.

In the 67^th minute, Ebube Okeke rocked the crossbar from 25 yards, but there were to be no more goals and Nigeria collected a second regional diadem at youth level five weeks after the U20 boys defeated neighbours Benin Republic in the final to win the WAFU B competition in Niger Republic.

Nigeria goalkeeper Richard Odoh was selected the Man-of-the-Match. His compatriot Emmanuel Michael won the prize in all three previous matches against Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire. 

Two goals by deadball expert Emmanuel Michael and a glancing header by Abubakar Idris Abdullahi condemned the U17 boys of Cote d’Ivoire to a 1-3 defeat in the first semi final of the ongoing WAFU B U17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Yet, the Eaglets uncharacteristically conceded first when Yan Diomande scored from the penalty spot in the very first minute after a foul in the Nigerian box.

The Nigerian boys launched onslaught after onslaught and were rewarded on the half-hour mark when Emmanuel Michael, who scored a spectacular goal from a 22-yard free-kick in the opening match against hosts Ghana, found the range off another free-kick from the right wing.

Thirteen minutes later, Nigeria were ahead for the first time in the encounter when Michael, again from a free kick at the edge of the box, blindsided goalkeeper Mohamed Cisse with an intelligent attempt that swept past the static wall.

The Ivorians came into the second half determined to browbeat the Eaglets with their size and stoutness, but they were pegged further back on the hour mark when Abubakar Idris Abdullahi found the net with a glancing header.

Four minutes later, the Ivorians were down to 10 men after Makhete Moustapha N’diaye was shown the red card.

Another free-kick by Emmanuel Michael in the 77^th minute missed target narrowly, and Precious Tonye Williams came very close with four minutes left after a brilliant team move set him up with a clear chance.

In Friday’s final, the Eaglets will take on the winner of the second semi final between hosts Ghana and Burkina Faso. However, victory over the Ivorians means they will be one of the eight participating teams at next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Defender and deadball prodigy Emmanuel Michael was presented with the Man-of-the-Match award, for the third consecutive match.     

Photo Credit: Black @ 442 Back Image

The Tripple 44 team who are preparing for a european tour of Germany and Sweden have been on a run of 30 games without a defeat before facing the Eaglets, who sent their record tumbling.

In a keenly-contested battle, the Nigerian cadet team showed grit, flair and solidity to stop their opponents from extending their unbeaten run to 31. The technical crew started with tested players and also went on to introduce competing substitutes from the bench.

While it’s still early days, sources within the team alluded that the win was a confidence-booster for the team, as they get set to storm Ghana next week.

The Ugbade-led side will play against the Black starlets of Ghana and Junior Hawks of Togo in a jostle for ticket to the U-17 African Cup of Nations.

As part of their preparation for the upcoming WAFU Cup championship, Thomas Adewumi Academy will be taking on Nigeria’s Under 17 national team, the Golden Eaglets in a friendly match on Thursday in Abuja

The match is billed for 2pm at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch, Package B of National Stadium, Abuja.

Head Coach of TAICO Hameed Olalekan said his side would give the Nduka Ugbade led boys a good match that will prepare them well for the main tournament.

The Golden Eaglets have been paired in Group A along side Ghana and Togo for the WAFU B Cup tourney that will take place in Cape Coast, Ghana.

All is set for the Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort Scouting and Coaching programme to go down from Saturday 1st of May through Friday 7th.

According to the organisers, the initiative was borne out of the corporate vision in nurturing football talents to the stardom and in fulfillment of its contractual agreement with Malaga CF of Spain.

The twin-packed project will be centered around scouting excercise for talented footballers and coaching clinic for coaches who want to give their careers a giant leap.

Malaga CF Academy Head Coach Martinez Trueba Marcus Antonio and Diego Martin; a FIFA certified football agent are expected to oversee the 7-day event.

While Monday 3rd of May to Tuesday 4th has been set aside for the Coaching Education Programme, the scouting programme has been scheduled to come up between Wednesday May 5th and Thursday 6th at Ilaji Hotels and Resort, Akanran, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Other notable instructors billed for the event are the former Super Eagles Coach; Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, ex- internationals like, Nduka Ugbade, Mutiu Adepoju and Gateway United Gaffer, Akeem Busari.

A sum amount of N10,500 is expected to be paid by interested players to register for the programme while intending coaches are to pay N20,000 as their commitment fee.

According to the organiser feeding and accommodation will be made free for the coaches for the two days, while accommodation alone will be free for players for the two screening days.

It’s instructive to know that Ilaji Hotels and Resort will be responsible for sponsorship of successful players and will also be providing certificate of participation for coaches.

Participants have been advised to pay into this Bank Account:6669682012 of First City Monument Bank with the name Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort.