Rapha Adams scored the only goal for Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in their 1-0 win over Niger Republic at the ongoing WAFU Zone B Under-17 Championship in Ghana, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Golden Eaglets took on Niger Republic in their second game of the WAFU Zone B under -17 championship at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday evening.
Manu Garba’s lads came out of the first game against Burkina Faso with a disappointing draw, but the gaffer promised an improvement in the second game.
Manu Garba made two changes to the starting lineup from the first game in a bid to ensure a bit more fluency in the attack.
Breaking news…Manu Garba makes two changes, as Eaglets tackle Niger.@thenff @NGSuperEagles
Viva Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/fo9juvpM91— Francis Achi (@totorimaster) May 19, 2024
Nigeria bossed the play for most of the first half, but they still lacked the vital connection between midfield and attack. The problem was further exacerbated by the poor turf at the University of Ghana Stadium.
However, they created a couple of opportunities. They eventually had their moment in the 31st minute, as Rapha Adams capitalized on a defensive mix-up and scored a header from close range to make it 1-0 to Nigeria.
The Golden Eaglets were almost pegged back in the 42nd minute, but Mohammed Bourdia’s strike from close range just kissed the the cross-bar and bounced off.
The first half ended with Nigeria in the lead. But in the second half, the Nigeriens stepped it up a notch. They started the second half very well, pressing the Golden Eaglets hard for the equalizer. The Golden Eaglets eventually broke, as Okorie Chibuike commited a foul in front of the box and conceded a free-kick. Unfortunately, he did not go scot-free, as he got sent off.
Mukhtar, who took charge of the set-piece sent a strong shot at goal, but the Golden Eaglets goalkeeper Dominic Chinedu pulled off a fantastic save to push it out for a corner.
After going down, the Golden Eaglets showed an impressive mentality, putting in the extra shift to limit the Nigeriens’ attacking incursions.
The Nigeriens pushed hard for a goal in the dying embers of the game, but Manu Garba’s lads put up a strong front and kept them out. It eventually ended 1-0 to Nigeria.
Nigeria now have four points from two games, and need just one point from their game against Togo on Wednesday to qualify for the knockout phase.