Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets finished their WAFU B U17 tournament with a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in the third-place playoff held in Yamoussoukro. While they received bronze medals, the team was disappointed not to qualify for next year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ahmed Yusuf, in his first start of the tournament, had an impressive performance. He scored the opening goal just five minutes into the second half with a low long-range shot that left the Burkinabe goalkeeper with no chance. Nigeria had several opportunities in the first half but could not find the net until Yusuf’s goal.
Famous Umole, who came on as a substitute, finished the scoring in the 77th minute, putting the ball in the net after a smart assist from Paul Ugwu. Yusuf’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
This victory marked Nigeria’s second consecutive bronze finish. However, it highlighted a troubling trend: the five-time world champions will miss the U17 AFCON and FIFA U17 World Cup, despite their strong history in youth football.
The Golden Eaglets began the tournament with a strong start, defeating Benin 4-1 in their opening game and drawing 0-0 with Burkina Faso to top Group B. Unfortunately, their journey ended in the semi-finals, where Ghana capitalized on defensive mistakes to win 2-0 and secure an AFCON spot. Burkina Faso also lost to the hosts, Ivory Coast, leading to the third-place match.
For Nigeria, a nation known for its football talent, the bronze medal offers little consolation.