U-17: Eaglets Battle S’Africa For Final’s Ticket

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will today tackle their South African counterparts in today’s first semi final match of the ongoing African Under – 17 Championship in Nigeria Republic.
The Winner of the potential explosive encounter will earn the ticket to the final match of the competition, however, all semi finalists have qualified for the World Cup proper scheduled for Chile later this year.
Nigeria finished top in Group A after beating hosts, Niger 2-0, drawing 1-1 with Guinea and edging Zambia 3-1.
South Africa on their past outscored Cameroon 3-1 in their final Group B game to qualify.
Meanwhile, Golden Eaglets Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has said that he expects a tough test from the South Africans in today’s game, but however, expects his boys to grind out another win and qualify a for a consecutive African U-17 Championship final.
Amuneke said that the team had worked very hard to reach this stage and just have to remain focused and do its job in the field of play.
Interestingly, Nigeria has not lost to South Africa in a competitive match and the onus is on the Eaglets to maintain the trend.
It is however, going to be a close contest going by what has been seen of the South African team so far in Niger. Amuneke describes them as a well-structured them that has been patient and disciplined in their game.
The task before the Eaglet, therefore, is for them to find a way to douse the opponents, overcome them and secure their journey to the final.
The second semi final will see Group A runners – up, Guinea take on Group B Winners, Mali, who piped defending champions, cote d’Ivoire 1-0 to end with seven points in their  Group.

Golden Eaglet captain, Kelechi Nwakali ready to lead Nigeria beyond South Africa in Niamey