2021 U17 AFCONQ : Golden Eaglets Handed Lifeline With Ivory Coast Win Against Ghana

Published: January 12, 2021

Five-time world champions Nigeria have been handed an unexpected lifeline to qualify for the 2021 Africa U17 Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast beating Ghana in the zonal qualifiers on Tuesday evening.

The Baby Elephants defeated the The Black Starlets 3-1 at the Stade Municipal, Lomé, leaving them top of the group with maximum six points from their two games in Group B.

Nigeria and bitter rivals Ghana finished on one point each but it's the Golden Eaglets that go through to the semifinals thanks to their better goal difference.

The Fatai Amoo led side were walking a qualification tightrope after losing 1-0 in their opener against Ivory Coast, before being held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana last weekend.

Joseph Arumala had given Nigeria the lead from the spot in the 83rd minute, only for Issahaku to equalize with three minutes remaining.

Nigeria face Burkina Faso, winners of Group A, on Friday, January 15, hoping to clinch a final spot and qualification to the 2021 U17 AFCON holding in Morocco later this year.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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