Eaglets face Black Starlets for bronze amid unclear WAFU B path to U-17 AFCON

In the ongoing WAFU B U17 Championship, Nigeria and Ghana, two powerhouses in youth football, are set to compete for the bronze medals this Tuesday in Accra, Ghana.

Given their impressive track records, both teams were expected to be contenders for the championship trophy. However, the semi-finals saw Nigeria’s Eaglets defeated by Côte d’Ivoire‘s Baby Elephants, and Ghana’s Starlets bested by Burkina Faso‘s Baby Stallions.

The West African Football Union has yet to clarify how many teams from the WAFU B will advance to the 2025 Africa U17 Cup of Nations. In light of this uncertainty, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, has urged the Eaglets to approach the third-place match with the same intensity as a final.

Sanusi emphasized the importance of the Eaglets giving their all to secure third place, given the unclear qualifying criteria for the U17 AFCON, with some suggesting three teams and others four. He acknowledged the challenge posed by the Black Starlets, who will have the advantage of home support, but expressed confidence in the Eaglets’ ability to triumph.

“We are still awaiting clarity on the number of teams that will qualify to the U17 AFCON from this tournament. Some people have said only three teams; some said four teams. It is therefore important that our boys go out there and play their hearts out to finish in third place.

“The Black Starlets will not be an easy ride. They are the home side and they will bank on the support of the fans. But our boys have what it takes to achieve victory,” he said.

The match for third place is scheduled to start at 3pm Ghana time (4pm Nigeria time) at the University of Accra Stadium. This will be followed by the final match between Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, kicking off at 6pm Ghana time (7pm Nigeria time).