Nigeria’s bid to reach the semi-finals of the WAFU-B Qualifier Tournament for the African Schools U15 Football Championship came to an early end on Tuesday, despite securing a win on the final day of group action in Ouagadougou, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Nigerian boys edged Benin Republic 1–0 in their second match, with Ayomide Adeleke scoring the decisive goal in the 19th minute. The victory brought Nigeria level on three points with both the Ivory Coast and Benin, but it was not enough to overturn the damage from their opening-day 4–1 defeat to Ivory Coast.
That heavy loss ultimately proved costly, as Nigeria finished third in the group on goal difference. Ivory Coast topped the standings with a +2 goal difference, followed by Benin at 0, while Nigeria ended with 2.
Ivory Coast and Benin advance to the semi-finals, while Nigeria bows out of the competition at the group stage.
Uche Dozie