U17 AFCON: Nigeria U17 vs Burkina Faso U17

U17 AFCON: Nigeria U17 vs Burkina Faso U17 – Kick-off, 

Victory for Nduka Ugbade’s boys will see them earn a place in the global football showpiece

Nigeria’s expedition towards a third U17 Africa Cup of Nations crown continues with a quarter-final showdown against Burkina Faso.

While the Golden Eaglets qualified for the knockout round with two wins from three matches, the Baby Stallions squeezed through after one victory.

Regardless, a semi-final place is the bone of contention when they lock horns in a showdown that promises to be thrilling at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers.

Both teams are not strangers to one another at this level of competition as they have met on three occasions with Nigeria getting two victories, while the Burkinabe earned bragging rights once.

Also, the game can be watched live on TV through SuperSport and it can be streamed online courtesy of the Caf Youtube channel.

Squads & Team News

Nigeria Squad

Goalkeepers: Richard Odoh (HB Academy), Temiloluwa Adelakin (Box 2 Box Football Academy), Gift Ukeh Adie ( Paul E FA)

Defenders: Yahaya  Lawali (Mahanaim FC), Emmanuel Michael (Simon Ben FA), Tochukwu Joseph Ogboji (Purple Crown FA), Jeremiah Olaleke (Ablaze Football Academy), Israel Usulor (Real Sapphire FC), Chijoke Julius Linus (Tripple 44 Football Academy), Quadri  Adewale (Nathaniel Boys FC)

Midfielders: Haruna Abdullahi   (Kurfi Tigers Academy), Umar Abubakar (Devine FA), Ifeoluwa Olowoporoku (Tripple 44 Academy), Hope Yusuf Linus (EE Sporting Club), Anongu Isaac Aondoakaa (Bethel Sporting), Simon  Cletus (Mavlon FA), Musa Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire FC), Usman Ajibola Owoyemi (Tripple 44 FA), Mathew Awodi Kingsley (Brooke House College)

Forwards: Abubakar Idris Abdullahi (Jega United), Precious Williams (HB Football Academy), Charles Adah Agada (Mavlon FC), Jubril Opeyemi Azeez (Right Vision Choice), Tochukwu Ogbadibo (Jossy United), Light Chijioke Eke (C & C FA), Favour Daniel (G12 Football Academy).

Potential Nigeria XI: Odoh, Lawali, Michael, Ogboji, Olaleke, Linus, Owoyemi, Abdullahi, Williams, Ogbadibo, Daniel.

Burkina Faso Squad

Goalkeepers: Isidore Traore (Vitesse FC), Abdoulaye Traore (NAS Burkina Faso), Amdan Sawadogo (Acadmie Cheetah, Ghana), Mohammed Amine (Kozaf,  Burkina Faso)

Defenders: Nouhoun Bamba (Sporting Football Club, Burkina Faso), Aly Sokondou (Real du Burkina Faso), Hamzah Traore (Rahimo), Drissa Traore (Sporting Football Club), Lassina Traore (Rahimo), Landry Yameogo (Real du Faso), Erwinn Nikiema (Red Stars)

Midfielders: Aboubacar Camara (Rahimo), Ismael Traore (New Stars), Balde Souleymane (New Stars), Ousmane Camara (Rahimo), Arouna Ouattara (Vitesse), Cheick Camara (Vittese), Appolinaire Bougma (AS Eco), Idrissa Sore (Real du Faso), Bougasse Lamine (Burkina Faso), Windlsida Rachide (Rahimo FC), Afiz Zorome (Nas)

Strikers: Jack Diarra (Salitas), Souleymane Alio (New Stars), Nacisse Kabir (Rahimo).

Potential Burkina Faso XI: Traore, Yameogo, Sokondou, L. Traore, Bamba, Ouattara, Camara, Bah, O. Camara, Bougma, Alio

Match Preview

Aside from chasing a place in the last four, Nigeria are keen on picking a U17 FIFA World Cup ticket plus extend their dominance.

Prior to the commencement of this tournament, Nduka Ugbade’s boys triumphed 2-1 in a qualification match.

Despite that blow, coach Brahima Traore would be aiming to stun the five-time world champions at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

Whoever wins on Sunday night will face Gabon or Burkina Faso for a place in the semi-final.

Appolinaire Bougma is aware of what is at stake and the midfielder revealed his team is highly motivated.

“This is like a final because whoever wins plays at the World Cup,” he told Caf website.

“We will go into the match highly motivated and with our target of earning the qualification. We respect Nigeria as they are a good team but we will do everything to beat them.

The winner of this fixture will square up against Senegal in the last four.