ALGIERS, Algeria — Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the hands of Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals of the AFCON U-17 championships, dashing their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The Nduka Ugbade-coached team was unable to convert their scoring opportunities in the first half, a failure that ultimately cost them.
Burkina Faso capitalized on a defensive error in the 45th minute, seizing the chance to take the lead.
Burkina Faso continued to build momentum in the second half, securing a penalty in the 56th minute after a Nigerian defender fouled an opponent in the box.
The West African side took full advantage, extending their lead to 2-0.
The Golden Eaglets finally found the back of the net in the 76th minute, with Abubakar Abdullahi expertly tapping in a cross to bring the score to 2-1.
However, despite multiple attempts to equalize, Nigeria was unable to break through the resolute Burkina Faso defense as the match ended in their favor.
Coach Ugbade lamented the missed opportunities, stating, “We had our chances, but we just couldn’t convert. It’s a tough loss to accept, but we must learn from it and come back stronger.”
In another quarterfinal match, Mali delivered a decisive 3-0 victory over Congo DRC, securing their place among the four African teams to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.
Senegal and Morocco had previously secured their spots in the semi-final and tickets to the World Cup after defeating South Africa and Algeria, respectively.
As the dust settles on a thrilling tournament, the stage is set for the semi-finals, with the remaining teams vying for the coveted AFCON U-17 championship title and a chance to make their mark on the global stage.
