Golden Eaglets Beat Burkina Faso 2–0 To Win Bronze

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets ended their WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship campaign on a high note after a 2–0 win over Burkina Faso secured them the bronze medal in Côte d’Ivoire.

The five-time world champions bounced back from their semifinal defeat to Ghana to finish third in the regional competition, a result that restores some pride for Manu Garba’s young side after a mixed tournament.

The third-place playoff, played at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, saw Nigeria dominate much of the second half to claim a deserved victory.

Eaglets Redeem Pride After Ghana Setback

The Golden Eaglets were drawn in Group B alongside Burkina Faso and Benin Republic. They opened their campaign in style, defeating Benin 4–1 in their first match before being held to a goalless draw by Burkina Faso to advance to the semifinals with four points.

However, their hopes of qualifying for next year’s U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were dashed after a 2–0 loss to archrivals Ghana in the semifinals, a defeat that also ended their road to the U-17 World Cup.

Despite the disappointment, coach Manu Garba’s boys regrouped quickly and showed resilience in the bronze medal match. The first half against Burkina Faso was evenly contested, with both teams missing clear chances as they struggled to break each other down.

The breakthrough came just five minutes into the second half when forward Ahmed Yusuf capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire Nigeria ahead. The Eaglets grew in confidence after the opener, pressing high and maintaining control of possession.

Famous Umole Seals Victory, Yusuf Shines Bright

In the 77th minute, substitute Famous Umole doubled Nigeria’s advantage, finishing calmly from a perfectly timed through ball by Paul Ugwu. The strike effectively sealed the win, ensuring the Golden Eaglets ended the competition on a positive note.

Ahmed Yusuf, who opened the scoring and was a constant threat throughout the encounter, was named Player of the Match for his energetic display and clinical finishing.

Speaking after the match, Garba praised his team’s fighting spirit and expressed optimism about their development despite missing out on AFCON qualification. “These boys have shown character. They’ll learn from this experience and come back stronger,” he said.

The win not only handed Nigeria the bronze medal but also reaffirmed the country’s dominance in youth football. The Eaglets remain the most successful team in U-17 World Cup history, with five titles, and their bronze medal in Yamoussoukro serves as a reminder of the depth of talent in Nigerian football.

Burkina Faso, who had earlier held Nigeria to a goalless draw in the group stage, were second-best for most of the contest and struggled to create meaningful chances after going behind. Their defeat means they finish fourth in the WAFU Zone B competition.

As the curtain falls on the regional qualifiers, attention now turns to the next cycle of youth competitions, where Nigeria will aim to rebuild and return to continental and global contention.