AFCON 2023: Golden Eaglets Set To Scale Burkina Faso Hurdle For World Cup Ticket

By Akinwale Kasali

The Coach Nduka Ugbade-led Golden Eaglets team have left Constantine to Algiers for their Quarter Final clash with the Junior Stallions of Burkina Faso at the ongoing CAF Under-17 African Cup of Nations in Algeria.

The Golden Eaglets are gunning for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup ticket having come second in Group B behind Morocco who they lost to 1-0 in the Group Stage.

The team had defeated Zambia and South Africa 1-0 and 3-2 respectively to book the Quarter Final ticket where they will be aiming to beat their West African neighbour who they had defeated at the West African Football Union tournament, WAFU during the qualifiers.

A victory against the Burkinabes will see Nigeria book one of the four tickets available for the continent for the World Showpiece.

Nigeria will take to the pitch on Thursday, when they battle with Group B’s runners up, Burkina Faso, in Algiers, while Annaba will host the game between two-time champions, Mali and Congo, the other of the best two third placed teams. Mali had a perfect record in Group C where they topped with a maximum two wins.

The semi-finals will pit winners of QF1 (Senegal v S’Africa) against QF4 winner (Nigeria v Burkina Faso) at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine and QF2 winner (Algeria v Morocco) against QF3 winner (Mali v Congo) on May 19, 1956 Stadium, Annaba. Both semi-finals will be held on May 14.

The Nigerian side will be hoping to hoist the nation’s flag at the World Showpiece by earning one of the tickets and jostle to add to his previous Five World Cup triumphs in the cadet tournament.

Ugbade has however stated that the team’s ultimate aim is to qualify for the World Cup.

“We’ve been preparing for the past 10 months and we’ve done so well in Ghana (WAFU B qualifiers) we did very well, coming first and winning the trophy.

“We aim to, at least, qualify for the World Cup and win the trophy if possible”, he stated.