Nigeria makes early exit from WAFU-B U15 in Ouagadougou

Nigeria’s journey at the WAFU-B Qualifier Tournament for the African Schools U15 Football Championship came to a premature end despite a spirited performance on day two in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The young Nigerian side recorded an important victory in their final group match, but it was not enough to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

The three teams in the group — Ivory Coast, Benin and Nigeria — all finished with three points each, leaving goal difference to determine the qualifiers.

Unfortunately for Nigeria, their earlier heavy defeat cost them dearly, finishing with a goal difference of –2, which placed them third in the standings. Ivory Coast topped the group with +2, followed by Benin with 0, both advancing to the knockout stage.

Final group standings

Ivory Coast — 3 pts (+2)
Benin — 3 pts (0)
Nigeria — 3 pts (–2)

It marks a disappointing end for the Nigerian youngsters, who showed promise but fell short in crucial moments. The focus now shifts to development and future competitions at the youth level.