By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria’s male U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets Friday qualified for the final of the 2021 West Africa Union U-17 tournament in Lome, Togo where they will battle Baby Elephants of Ivory Coast to determine the champion of the regional competition.

In the last semi-final match Friday night, Ivory Coast defeated Benin Republic 1-0 to set up a rematch with Nigeria after the latter suffered a 1-0 defeat during their Group B opening match last week

The Fatai Amoo tutored lads will face Ivory Coast’s Baby Elephants in the final.

Micheal Emmanuel Papo’s solitary strike helped the Golden Eaglets qualify for the final of the competition  The team has also qualified for the 2021 U17 Afcon in Morocco later in the year.

Five-time world champions Nigeria zoomed into the final of the WAFU U17 Cup Tournament in Lome, Togo on Friday, following a 1-0 win over Group A winners Burkina Faso at the Stade Kegue.

Victory means the Golden Eaglets are now not only eligible to battle for the tournament’s diadem on Wednesday, but have also joined the teams that have qualified for the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Morocco 13th – 31st March.

Michael Emmanuel Papo gave Nigeria, who also won the African championship in 2001 and 2007, the crucial ticket with his 77th minute goal, with the Burkinabes unable to respond until the final whistle.

Fatai Amoo’s wards started the competition on a shaky note losing by the odd goal to Cote d’Ivoire, but then were held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana in their second game in the three-team Group B. They looked to be on their way home until Cote d’Ivoire trashed Ghana 3-1 to allow the Eaglets slip into the last four.

Venue will be Togo’s main stadium, the Stade Kegue.