In the third-place playoff match at the University of Ghana Stadium, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria defeated the Black Starlets of Ghana, 2–3.
After Ghanaian goalkeeper Michael Armah failed to clear Ogwuche’s strike to safety, it dropped nicely to Imaran Mohammed, who found the back of the net, shocking the hosts with an early lead for Nigeria.
In the 19th minute, Herve Gbarfa scored Ghana’s equalizer with a glancing header from Tsivarnyo’s corner kick. Nine minutes later, he scored a brace after flicking the ball with his right foot from Kagawa Mensah’s freekick.
Five minutes before halftime, the clumsy Armah let slip Adeleke’s feeble header, and the Starlets gave up the equalizer despite continuing to play their typical possession and progression style of football.
In the last minute of play, Adeleke scored the game’s winning goal for the Golden Eaglets from the edge of the 18-yard box, leaving Nana Agyemang to rue his team’s squandered opportunities in the second half.
Nigeria’s participation in the U-17 AFCON has not yet been confirmed by CAF, despite FIFA’s announcement during a Council meeting in March 2024 that the number of participating teams would increase from 24 to 48.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Michael Mensah Martey
