By Kabiru Abdulrauf
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets advanced to the semifinals of the WAFU-B U-17 Tournament after playing out a goalless draw with Burkina Faso in Yamoussoukro on Saturday — a result that underlined both the team’s defensive discipline and their need for sharper finishing.
The draw was enough for Nigeria to top Group B on goal difference, setting up a potentially decisive clash against perennial rivals Ghana. The stakes are high: the tournament serves as a qualifying series for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, meaning that a semifinal win would bring Nigeria within touching distance of continental qualification.
Manu Garba’s side entered the fixture with confidence after a 4–1 opening win over Benin Republic but appeared more conservative against Burkina Faso, prioritizing game control over risk-taking in the final third. The Eaglets’ midfield pressed aggressively, restricting Burkina Faso’s attacking build-up, but their inability to convert chances leaves questions about efficiency in front of goal.
Against Ghana, a team renowned for physical intensity and clinical counter-attacks, Nigeria will need to raise their tempo and make better use of possession to avoid being punished. The match will not only test their technical and tactical maturity but also their psychological resilience in high-stakes situations.
Victory would guarantee a place in both the final and the AFCON, cementing Nigeria’s status as a dominant force in West African youth football. Failure, however, could mean missing a crucial opportunity to develop the next generation of Super Eagles talent on a continental stage.
