Niger began their campaign in the UFOA-B U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Ouagadougou on Wednesday.
The result sees Niger claim an important win against the Golden Eaglets, a side with a distinguished record in youth football.
Abdoul Razaq Zada put Niger ahead in the 19th minute. Nigeria pushed for an equaliser, but Niger extended their lead when Abdoul Rakilou scored in the 86th minute.
Mubarak Fasiu pulled one back for Nigeria in the fifth minute of added time, at 90+5, but his goal came too late to prevent defeat.
The result raises further questions about the state of youth football in Nigeria. The country have won the U17 World Cup five times, but have not appeared at the tournament since 2019.
The latest setback highlights the challenges facing player development, talent identification and the support provided to young footballers. The Golden Eaglets must now respond to keep their hopes in the competition alive.