The Golden Eaglets on Sunday claimed the Bronze medal at the WAFU B Under-17 Tournament after an inspired 3-0 win against hosts, Togo in the third-place play off at the Sade Municipal.
Apart from winning the bronze medal, the Golden Eaglets were the only team in the competition that did not lose a match in regulation but were only stopped in the semi-finals on penalties by Benin after a 1-1 draw.
But against Togo, the Eaglets were at their best by scoring three first half goals through Kehinde Ayinde, Orji Okonkwo and Jack Ipalibo.
Right from the blast of the whistle of Ivorian referee, Bievenue Sinko, the Golden Eaglets left no one in doubt about their desire as they showed more hunger and serious in the attack.
Within two minutes of play, they earned two corner kicks and Ayinde profited from the second to get the opening goal as the Eaglets’ piled more pressure on their Togolese counterparts. Okonkwo, Suleiman
Abdullahi and Kelechi Nwakali all missed the chance to increase the tally thereafter
In the 30th minute, Nwakali’s shot bounced off on an opposing defender but Okonkwo was at the right point to push the ball into the net.
Dauda Abdulganiyu also had a shot saved by the Togolese goalkeeper.
With some minutes to spare in the first half, Ipalibo scored Eaglets’ third goal off a corner kick by Abdullahi which clearly killed off the resolve of the host team.
The second half did not produce any goal despite frequent pressure on the Togolese end as the game was virtually played in their half through the remaining part of the game.
“We thank God it all ended well,” stated Golden Eaglets’ coordinator, Prince Udofia. “We can go back home satisfied that the boys gave their best in the final analysis.”
