Sports
Eaglets Lose WAFU U-17 Cup To Ivory Coast
Defending champions Nigeria lost 3-2 against Ivory Coast in the final of the WAFU B U-17 tournament on Monday.
Two late goals from Ahmed Abdulahi were not enough to help the Golden Eagles lift the trophy after Sindou Kone, Abdrumane Konate and Seydou Traore’s strikes condemned Nigeria to their second defeat against the young Elephants in the tournament.
Fatai Amoo’s boys started the competition on a shaky note when they lost their opening Group B match to Ivory Coast.
Nigeria then secured a draw against Ghana in their second game in the competition and managed to reach the semi-finals of the tournament after results from other games favoured them.
The Golden Eaglets secured a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the semi-final to advance into the final and subsequently qualified for the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations which will take place in Morocco.
Nigeria, however, failed in the last hurdle after narrowly losing to the Young Elephants in the Wafu final at Stade de Kegue.
Sindou ignited the surge of goals with a fine strike when he beat goalkeeper Destiny Emuwahem to put Ivory Coast in front in the 15th minute.
Moments before the hour mark, Abdrumane Konate doubled the Young Elephants’ lead with a well-taken effort.
In an effort to try and avoid defeat in the encounter, coach Amoo made a number of substitutions, including introducing Abdulahi for Chijioke Vinci Osuji in the 65th minute.
Seydou Traore compounded the woes of the Golden Eaglets when he found the back of the net for Ivory Coast in the 84th minute to firmly put his side on the path to lifting the trophy.
Abdulahi then bagged two late goals, including a fine free-kick for Nigeria but the efforts were not enough to help Amoo’s Boys win the title for the second consecutive time.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
-
Opinion3 days ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News3 days agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability
-
News1 day ago
Independence Anniversary: Nigeria Is A Failed Grandfather – Monarch
-
City Crime3 days agoIndustry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands
-
News3 days ago“PenCom Raises Capital Requirement For PFAs To N20b …Sets December 2026 Deadline
-
Niger Delta1 day ago
Police Arrest Two Cultists, Recover Weapons In A’Ibom
-
Sports3 days agoEzeji Urge NFF To Investigate Igenewari George’s death
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
D’Gov Hails Amananaowei-Elect, Ogboloma Chiefs Council …Wants Accountability, Transparency In Traditional Administration