Eniola Olatunji

The Biblical saying that the glory of the youth is in their strength may not be a reality but that the tactical prowess of the coach may take the day on Saturday as the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria tackles the Little Elephants of Ivory Coast in the semifinal of the WAFU Zone B U17 cup in Accra Ghana.

Another modifier that may emerge is if there is the usual heavy rain down pour as the Eaglets matches has been postponed twice in three matches played and Patmos Media Line cannot confirm to you whether the organizers, Ghanaian Football Association contacted Rain Makers before shifting the time of the two clashes on Saturday.

West African Countries fraternize with Rain Makers when they have functions. Ghana was expected to play Burkina Faso in the 1st Semifinal at 3pm Ghanaian time but it will now be 5pm while the Nigeria versus Ivory Coast match scheduled for 6pm will now be played at 8pm. Nigerians should note that Ghana is one hour ahead of Nigeria so Nigeria plays at 9pm.

West African football records are not well kept but Nigeria is playing as Defending Champions in this tournament. She played goalless with Burkina Faso; struggled to earn a 1-0 victory over Niger Republic and thrashed Togo 3-0 to top group B with 7 points like the Burkina Boys but had more goals superiority.

Only three teams played in group A which hosts Ghana topped and there, Ivory Coast lost grimly 1-5 to Ghana and piped Benin Republic by a lone goal. Fast thinking – the Ivorian defence is porous and the Nigerian can with the goal poachers messed them up on a good day.

General records show that Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are the best from Africa in that age category having appeared 12 times for world cup finals and clinched the title five times in 1985; 1993; 2007; 2013 and 2015. 

The Little Elephants who attended the world cup finals 4 times only got a Bronze medal in 2013 when Nigeria won the title. That year was awesome Manu Garba who is coach right now was in charge. Garba defeated Soviet Union 2-1 in the final.

Ivory Coast lost 0-1 to Soviet Union in the Semifinal when Nigeria beat Italy by a lone goal in the same semi. In the 3rd place match Ivory Coast won the Bronze by beating Italy 2-1 with a Brace from Traore at 17th and 96th minutes, Bocchialini scored for Italy 57th minute in the match handled by Canadian Antonio Evangelista before a 1,000 strong fans stand at St Johns.

But in that 2013 that Garba was in charge, Ivory Coast on 17th March 2013 beat Nigeria by a lone goal and on the 27th of same March 2013 played 1-1. Nigeria beat Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties after 1-1 at full time on 6th September 2018. The Little Elephants knocked the Eaglets 1-0 on 6th January 2021 while on 18th January 2021 the Elephants won again 3-2. All in U17 matches.

There was a WAFU U17 Group B semifinal between both countries in 2022 and the Captain of the Eaglets who lifted the first U17 world cup in 1985 as coach; Nduka Ugbade slammed the Ivoirians 3-1. Will Manu Garba make an encore?

Nigeria has not been excellent on the African platform but appear to be global guys as their 10 times appearances at the CAF U17 tournaments fetched them two titles in 2001 and 2007. 

Ivory Coast appeared 5 times at CAF tournament finals but only won in 2013 the very year Manu Garba lifted the FIFA U17 trophy.

We expect a vociferous crowd to roar for Ghana against Burkina Faso in the first semifinals at the University of Ghana Stadium at 6pm Nigerian time (Same venue for the Nigerian match). Ghana cannot afford to ignite the old rivalry in the Nigeria-Ghana sports challenges. 

Two finalists will go to the CAF U17 final tournaments.