Nigeria crashed out on penalties to Guinea after a deadlocked semifinal encounter at the National Stadium,  Dar es Salaam on Wednesday afternoon.

Coach Manu Garba tinkered with his starting XI for the fourth time in the ongoing competition, introducing Fawaz Abdullahi in his midfield set up in place of Mayowa Abayomi.

The Golden Eaglets had to withstand a barrage of advances in the opening stages as Guinea flew out of the blocks and threatened to draw first blood.

Goalkeeper Sunday Stephen saw the top of his crossbar clipped with a long-range effort from Algasimme Bah before denying the No.10 in the 22nd minute following some moments of nerves in the box.

Thirteen minutes later and it was Nigeria on the rampage with Ibraheem Jabaar rising to meet Ogaga Oduko's cross at the far post but sent his header well wide.

Nigeria, however continued to look dangerous after the break without their talisman, Akinkunmi Amoo who was replaced in the first period and Wisdom Ubani would nearly get the breakthrough after making the most of a clearance in the opposition box, rolled over two markers but just about dragged his effort agonizingly wide after a drop of the shoulder.

Olatomi Olaniyan and Oduko both had chances in the dying embers just before the shootout, with the latter falling to catch out Camara Sekou while the former cut onto his weaker left foot and blew his shot wide.

More agonising for Nigeria, the full-back Ogaga eventually blazed over his penalty kick in the ensuing shootout after most of his teammates had kept their nerves as Guinea booked a place in the final of the U-17 AFCON while Garba's boys will await the vanquished in the other semifinal fixture to know who they face in the third place game.

Nigeria U17 Starting XI : Sunday Stephen; Tanko, Oduko, Ikenna, Ishaya; Tijani, Amoo, Olaniyan, Fawaz; Jabaar, Ubani

Emmanuel Chinaza