Despite a disappointing start, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have shown some mental toughness to reach the final of the CAF WAFU U-17 championship.
The Manu Garba-led team, beaten by Burkina Faso in the tournament’s opener, recovered in style to advance to the final where they will face Ghana.
Nigeria defeated hosts, Niger Republic 2-1 on Wednesday night in a thrilling encounter in Niamey.
Goals from Akinkunmi Amoo and Olakunle Oluwasegun ensured that the Eaglets secured a place in the final on Saturday against regional rivals Ghana, who defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the first semi-final clash of the day.
Five-time world U-17 champions, Nigeria, scored once in the first half through Amoo and then added another in the 58th minute from an Oluwasegun solo effort.
Niger pulled one back in the 90th minute but could not get an equaliser in additional time to take the game to extra time.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2019 U-17 African Cup of Nations in Tanzania.
