U17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets suffer back-to-back defeats in test matches

The Nigeria U17 men’s national team have suffered yet another defeat a day after losing 2-1 to Kaduna-based football academy Triple O in a friendly game.

The Golden Eaglets lost 6-4 to Abuja-based Football Academy, Derby FA on Thursday as they recorded back-to-back defeats for the first time in their preparatory camp.

The first half of the ten-goal thriller ended 3-1 in favor of the Academy who missed a penalty. However, they overpowered the Eaglets to add three more goals in the second half, the same as the Nduka Ugabde-led team scored in the second half.

Derby’s winger Osaghae Uyiosa Eugene was practically unplayable and consistently easily breached the Eaglets’ defense.

The back-to-back defeat has however shown that there is still work to be done by the technical crew ahead of the start of the U17 AFCON in Algeria.

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro and Nigeria’s technical director, Austin Eguavoen were both on the ground to witness the game as the two-time Africa champions were humbled.

Nigeria have been drawn alongside Morocco, South Africa, and Zambia in Group B of the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament which serves as Africa’s qualifier for the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup will see the four semifinalists represent Africa in Peru in November.

The Golden Eaglets are five-time champions of the U17 FIFA World Cup and will hope to reach the semifinal of this year’s AFCON in a bid to automatically qualify for the U17 FIFA World Cup.