Cynthia Ezegwu
Five-time world champions, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, will take on Ghana’s Black Starlets in the second semi-final of the ongoing WAFU-B U-17 Championship at Stade Charles Konan Banny on Tuesday.
After missing out on last year’s final—and consequently the 2025 U-17 AFCON and the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup—the Eaglets are determined to secure a place in this year’s showpiece.
The Nigerian side has been in impressive form, scoring four goals and conceding just one to top Group B with four points. Under coach Manu Garba, the Eaglets defeated Benin Republic 4-1 in their opening game and drew 0-0 with Burkina Faso in their second match.
Ghana’s Black Starlets had a more difficult route to the semi-finals. After a 1-1 draw with Togo and a 3-0 loss to hosts Ivory Coast, they needed two late goals to beat Niger Republic and secure their spot in the last four.
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Historically, the Eaglets have held the upper hand in the WAFU-B U-17 Championship. They beat the Black Starlets 4-2 in the opening game of the 2022 edition in Cape Coast and triumphed 3-2 in the bronze medal match of the last edition in Accra.
A win on Tuesday will not only guarantee a place in the final for Nigeria but also qualification for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, giving the Eaglets a chance to reclaim their dominance on the continental stage.