Golden Eaglets win WAFU Cup, as FIFA Women’s U-17 draws land Flamengoes in tough group

Nigeria’s U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets have won the 2022 West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup.

This is also as the world’s football governing body, FIFA, Friday, staged its draws for the forthcoming U-17 Women’s World Cup taking place in India, with Nigeria’s Flamengoes placed in Group B of the tournament to face New Zealand and Germany.

The Golden Eaglets, Friday, beat their Burkina Faso counterparts by 2-1 to claim the top prize, after reaching the semi-finals which had automatically guaranteed them a ticket to the 2023 edition of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The final was played between the two West African rivals on Friday, June 24, 2022 at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana.

The team tutored by ex-Golden Eaglets captain, Nduka Ugbade, has also defeated Ghana by 4-2 en route the final of the tournament.

In the final of the 2022 West African Football Union (WAFU) Under-17 tournament the Golden Eaglets recorded a 2-1 victory against Burkina Faso.

The Golden Eaglets would battle hard to make the country proud and come back with the title.

To reach the final, the Golden Eaglets defeated the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire by 2-1, while the Junior Etalons of Burkina Faso beat the Black Starlets of Ghana.

Both teams have already qualified for the 2023 edition of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Striker, Abubakar Abdullahi put the Golden Eaglets in front as early as the 22nd minute. However, a defensive error gifted Burkina Faso an equalizer close to halftime.

Again, Abdullahi scored his second and match winner in the 48th minute after the Burkina Faso goalkeeper spilled the ball from free kick sensation, Emmanuel Michael.

Similarly, the Golden Eaglets’ female compatriots, the Flamengoes, have been drawn in Group B ahead of the forthcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup holding from October 11 through to 30.

At a draw which held, Friday, the Flamengoes will face Germany, New Zealand and Chile in what is already the group of death.

Host nation, India will play the opening match of the tournament against USA, joining Brazil and Morocco in Group A.

Spain, who won the last edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2018, were drawn in Group C, alongside Colombia, Mexico and China PR.

Show host, Mollie Kmita presented the Official Draw and was joined by former United States Women’s national team player and FIFA Women’s World Cup winner, Heather O’Reilly, former coach of the New Zealand national team, Ricki Herbert, as well as Jaime Yarza, FIFA’s Director of Tournaments, and Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, who conducted the draw.

In the draw for the India 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup held in Zürich, Friday, 16 teams were grouped into four.

The 16 teams are; China PR, Japan, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, France, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, India – Host.

Nigeria’s Flamengoes were drawn in Group B and will face Germany, Chile and New Zealand.

Africa’s other representatives, Tanzania have been drawn in Group D to face Japan, Canada and France.

With less than four months to go now until the tournament kicks off, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India across three Host Cities – Bhubaneswar, Goa and Navi Mumbai.

The full draws:

Group A

– India, Morocco, USA and Brazil.

Group B

– Germany, Nigeria, Chile and New Zealand.

Group C

– Spain, Colombia, Mexico and China PR.

Group D

– Japan, Tanzania, Canada and France.