Golden Eaglets thrash Benin 4-1 in WAFU-B U17 opener
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets began their WAFU-B U17 Championship campaign in style with a 4-1 win over Benin in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire.
Teenage striker George Agha was the star of the match, scoring a first-half hat-trick, while captain David Edeh added another as Manu Garba’s boys sealed victory before the break.
The Eaglets started strongly. Agha put them ahead from the penalty spot after only four minutes, following a foul on winger Boluwatife Thompson. Just two minutes later, Edeh’s curling free-kick doubled the lead after Thompson was fouled again.
In the 14th minute, Agha finished off a fine team move for his second, before completing his hat-trick in the 31st minute by punishing a defensive mistake after Thompson had pressured the Benin goalkeeper.
Benin, who had already lost to Burkina Faso in their first match, pulled one back just before half-time through captain Jeremy Zannou, who converted a cutback from Raphael Fatouzoun.
However, there was no comeback. Nigeria stayed in control after the break, with coach Garba making changes to rest key players ahead of Saturday’s group decider against Burkina Faso.
The win secures Nigeria a place in the semi-finals and keeps their hopes alive of qualifying for next year’s U17 AFCON – the pathway to the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
