Eaglets beaten as Guinea, Cameroon reach final

Nigeria Golden Eaglets were on Wednesday beaten in the semi-final of the 2019 Total Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations by Guinea who will now face Cameroon in an all Group B final in Dar es-Salaam on Sunday.

Nigeria’s Under 17 side coached by Manu Garba once again missed scoring chances although were well contained by their strong West African opponents as the game ended 0-0 in full time.

In the ensuing shootout, the Golden Eaglets were beaten 10-9 after left back Ogaga Oduko blazed his attempt (in the tenth round of a pulsating shootout) over the bar, sending the Guineans to the final.

They will face Cameroon who also needed penalties to beat Angola 4-3 (0-0) in the second semi-final game decided at the same venue on Wednesday evening. Both teams will face in Sunday’s final. Daouda Amadou converted the decisive spot kick for the Cameroonians.

Nigeria will take on Angola in the third place match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salam at 4pm local time on Saturday, twenty-four hours before the final takes centre stage in the Tanzanian capital.

All four semi-finalists have qualified to represent Africa at the 2019 FIFA Under 17 World Championship later this year in Brazil, regardless of Wednesday’s results.