Nigeria’s U-15 boys face Benin in a decisive CAF Schools Football Championship clash after losing their opening match 4–1 to Ivory Coast.
Nigeria’s U-15 boys will attempt to revive their CAF Schools Football Championship campaign when they take on Benin on Tuesday (today) in Ouagadougou, with a semifinal place still possible despite their 4–1 opening defeat to Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
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The young Nigerians began their WAFU B zonal qualifiers on a difficult note on Monday, struggling to cope with the Ivorians’ pace and physicality in their first Group B fixture at the Stade du 4 Août.
The result leaves Coach Oluwaseun Oyeniyi’s side needing victory in their final group match to stay in contention for Wednesday’s semifinals.
The boys’ tournament features teams from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Ivory Coast, Benin and Nigeria.
Group A includes hosts Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger, while Group B consists of Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Benin.
Although both boys’ and girls’ competitions are taking place this week, Nigeria are represented only in the boys’ category.
Nigeria’s 19-man squad-drawn from five secondary schools across Kaduna, Enugu, Jalingo, Ogwashi-Ukwu and Ido-Ekiti-arrived in Ouagadougou on Saturday after travelling through Lagos and Abidjan.
The team, containing pupils from Government Basic Education School, Government Junior Secondary School, Adaigbo Secondary School, National Grammar School and Ekiti Parapo College, settled at Hotel Splendid ahead of their opening fixtures.
With their tournament hopes now under pressure, the boys know a strong response is required against a Benin side also battling for qualification.
A win would propel Nigeria into the semifinals and restore confidence in a competition designed to spotlight grassroots talent across West Africa.
The group stage concludes today, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout phase.
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The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, followed by the third-place playoff and final on Thursday as the four-day event reaches its climax.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
