Golden Eaglets beat Côte d’Ivoire to qualify for 2023 U-17 AFCON

Nigeria’s national U-17 football team, Golden Eaglets, booked a spot in the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria after a 3-1 victory over 10-man Côte d’Ivoire.

Nduka Ugbade came from a goal down against The Little Elephants in the first semi-final of the WAFU B tournament in Ghana.

The five-time world champions went a goal behind in the opening minute of the game by concerning a penalty which was converted but Yan Diomande.

However, Ugbade’s boys drew level through a sublime freekick from  Emmanuel Michael in the 30th minute of the game before the deadball specialist doube=led his tally with another freekick to give Nigeria a 2-1 lead in the 43rd minute.

Abubakar Idris Abdullahi’s 60th-minute header completed the comeback for the Nigerian side before the Ivorians were reduced to 10 men four minutes later after Makhete Moustapha N’diaye was shown the red card.

Ugbade’s boys will face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Ghana and Burkina Faso in the final on Friday.