WAFU U-17: 10-man Golden Eaglets defeat Niger 1-0

WAFU U-17: 10-man Golden Eaglets defeat Niger 1-0

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets on Sunday secured their first win at this year’s West Africa Football Union (WAFU) B U-17 tournament with a 1-0 victory over Niger.

The match was played Sunday evening at the University Stadium in Accra, Ghana.

Rapha Adams got the only goal of the game for the Golden Eaglets in the 31st minute to take Nigeria to four points. They are now tied with Burkina Faso who lead the group on goal difference.

The Golden Eaglets started the better of the two sides, and tested the Niger goal a few times in the opening exchanges, with Abdulmuiz Adeleke the main culprit for missed opportunities.

The young Nigerian side displayed impressive attacking prowess, putting the Nigerien defense under constant pressure right from the start.

Breakthrough came for the Golden Eaglets in the 31st minute when a free-kick caused panic in the Nigerien defence.

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Rapha Adams was the quickest to react, putting Nigeria ahead with a well-placed shot.

It was the first goal the Golden Eaglets scored at the tournament, following a goalless draw with Burkina Faso in their opening game. This goal ignited the Nigerian team, boosting their confidence.

The Eaglets continued from where they left off in the first half. Despite Rapha Adams and Simon Cletus getting their chances, they could not convert them into goals.

The game took a dramatic turn when Nigeria were reduced to 10 men after Chibuike Okorie was sent off for hauling a Nigerien player down as the last man.

This decision forced the Eaglets to adopt a more defensive approach for the rest of the game.

The resultant free kick was brilliantly saved by Nigeria’s goalkeeper Dominic Chinedu, who displayed excellent reflexes and composure.

WAFU U-17: 10-man Golden Eaglets defeat Niger 1-0

-Afric.foot