Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets were held to a 1-1 draw by the Black Starlets of Ghana in the WAFU Zone B competition on Saturday and are on the brink of possible elimination from the tournament.
The result means that the five time world champions finished with just one point from a possible six after suffering a 0-1 loss to Ivory Coast in their opening game.
Fatai Amoo’s side came out of the gates blazing as Peter Asuquo’s shot hit the woodwork as early as the eighth minute. Chances were few and far between in the first half as both sides went into the locker room failing to break the deadlock.
Eight minutes after the restart, Abubakar Gaddo also saw his effort for Ghana rattle the woodwork. In the 75th minute, Nigeria had appeals for a penalty rejected by the referee but after much deliberation he pointed to the spot.
Joseph Arumala stepped up and converted the spot kick to give Nigeria the lead.
However, Nigeria would be left heartbroken. Six minutes from normal time, the Black Starlets of Ghana equalised through a penalty also. They held on till the end for a vital point.
The outcome of the game now implies that if the Black Starlets’ game against Ivory Coast ends in a draw or they pick up a win, Nigeria will be automatically confirmed eliminated from the U-17 competition.
