Niger earned points in their first match of the 2026 CAF U17 Championship qualifiers for the UFOA-B zone, defeating Nigeria 2-1 on Wednesday in Ouagadougou. The Nigeriens outperformed the Golden Eaglets, who are known for their rich history in youth football.
Abdoul Razaq Zada opened the scoring in the 19th minute for Niger. While the Nigerians tried to turn the tide, Abdoul Rakilou doubled the lead in the 86th minute. Mubarak Fasiu pulled one back for Nigeria in stoppage time at the 90+5 minute, but it was not enough to save his team from defeat.
This setback raises new questions about youth football in Nigeria. With five U17 World Cup titles to their name, the country has not participated in the World Cup at this level since 2019. This latest underperformance highlights issues related to training, talent identification, and the development of young players. The Golden Eaglets will now need to respond to keep their chances alive in the tournament.
