Sports
WAFU U-17: Eaglets Book Semi-Final Ticket
Nigeria U-17 have qualified for the semi-finals of the 2021 Wafu U17 Championship taking place in Togo.
The Golden Eaglets had bowed 1-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in their opening Group B match, courtesy of Charles Mezia’s 77th-minute strike. In their next fixture against Ghana, they took the lead through Joseph Arumala before their arch-rivals equalised to ensure the game ended 1-1 – a result that put them on the brink of elimination.
Even at that, Fatai Amoo’s boys scaled through as the Black Starlets crumbled 3-1 to Les Petits Elephants at the Stade Municipal, Lome.
With this result, the five-time world champions are through to the last four of the competition alongside the 2013 African U17 champions.
To reach the final, Nigeria must negotiate their way past Group A winners, Burkina Faso on Friday while Cote d’Ivoire must get past Niger Republic on the same day at the Stade Kegue.
Hosts Togo were disqualified from the championship on Sunday after two of their players failed the Magnetic Resonance Imaging tests (MRI).
“This decision is made in accordance with article 27.4 of the regulations of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations which stipulates that, “if after having carried out the age eligibility test (MRI) for a participating team and a player ‘is revealed ineligible, the participating team will be disqualified,” a statement from the organisers read.
The regional tournament serves as qualifiers for the 2021 Africa U17 Cup of Nations billed for Morocco. There, Africa’s four representatives for the Fifa U17 World Cup in Peru would be determined.
The Golden Eaglets finished fourth at the 2019 U17 Afcon hosted by Tanzania.
At the global fiesta held in Brazil, the team led by Manu Garba crashed out after the Round of 16 following their 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands with Misjonne Hansen finding the net on three occasions inside Estadio Olimpico, Goiania.
Nigeria is the most successful country in the world at this level of competition having won the U17 World Cup for a record five times.
Their last triumph was achieved at the 2015 edition when they silenced Mali 2-0 in the final, thanks to second-half strikes from Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye.
In a statement released by the league, the competition is scheduled to take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with six clubs set to battle for the league title at the end of the 2025/26 season.
NWFL Chief Operating Officer, Modupe Shabi, said the choice of Port Harcourt reflects the Rivers State Government’s continued support for women’s football and its successful hosting of the league’s Annual General Assembly last year.
The Super Six tournament will feature the top three teams from Group A and Group B of the regular season competing in a round-robin format, with each club playing five matches over nine days.
Qualified teams for the competition include defending champions Bayelsa Queens, Edo Queens, Rivers Angels, Robo Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, and debutants Abia Angels.
The NWFL Premiership has produced four different winners in the last five editions, with Rivers Angels winning in 2021, Bayelsa Queens claiming the title in 2022 and 2025, Delta Queens triumphing in 2023, and Edo Queens emerging champions in 2024.
The league also urged participating clubs to comply with all competition regulations and directives ahead of the championship. The Super Six will determine Nigeria’s representative for the WAFU-B qualifiers for a place at the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League and ultimately the 2027 FIFA Women’s Champions Cup.
Teams are expected to arrive on Friday, June 5, when the draw ceremony and pre-match meeting will also take place. Matchdays are scheduled for June 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14, with rest days in between before the tournament concludes with the trophy presentation ceremony.
