By Ebube Dike

Nigeria’s national U-17 team, the Golden Eaglets faces an uncertainty as the team’s quest to qualify for the 2021 Africa U-17 Youth Championship suffered a huge blow following their 1-0 loss to rivals, Ivory Coast on Wednesday

Playing the first match in Group B of the ongoing West Africa Football Union Zone B U-17 tournament in Benin Republic, the Fatai AMoo -led teenagers were condemned to defeat after Mezian Charles scored the decider in the 77th minute.

The Ivorians dominated proceedings but the resilience of Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, Destiny Emuwahem ensured that the five-time world champions did not concede more goals.

Ivory Coast dominated both halves but the Little Elephants got their reward when Mezian Charles scored the decider in the 77th minute of the game and condemned the Nigeria team to its first defeat of the competition.

With the defeat, Nigeria’s qualification chances is dented as they have to secure outright win against Ghana on Saturday.

Since the return of football, Nigeria has not recorded a win in seven games. Super Eagles played four games, lost one and drew three, Flying Eagles lost one and drew one match in the WAFU U-20 championship in Benin Republic.

And now, the Golden Eaglets lost their first game in the ongoing WAFU U-17 championship.

Nigeria is playing in group B along Ivory Coast and Ghana with only two matches to play.