Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will go head-to-head with Ghana’s Black Starlets this evening in the second semi-final of the WAFU-B U-17 Championship at the Stade Charles Konan Banny, Yamoussoukro. Kick-off is 8 pm.
The encounter is a crucial one for the Eaglets, who missed out on the final in last year’s edition. That failure cost them a place at the 2025 U-17 AFCON and the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup. Now, the five-time world champions have another chance to return to the continental stage.
Coach Manu Garba’s side has looked sharp so far. They opened their campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Benin Republic before playing out a goalless draw against Burkina Faso. With four points and only one goal conceded, they topped Group B to reach the last four.
Ghana’s road to this stage has been far less smooth. The Black Starlets managed a 1-1 draw with Togo before suffering a heavy loss to hosts Ivory Coast. Facing elimination in their final group game against Niger Republic, they trailed at 1-1 until two late goals in the second half turned things around and booked their place in the semi-final.
Recent history favours Nigeria. The Golden Eaglets defeated the Black Starlets 4-2 in the opening match of the 2022 tournament in Cape Coast and edged them 3-2 in last year’s bronze medal contest in Accra.
Victory tonight will not only earn the Eaglets a spot in the final but also confirm their qualification for the 2026 U-17 AFCON — a vital step towards reclaiming their place on the world stage.
