Nigeria’s U-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets, began their campaign at this year’s event in Algeria with a slim 1-0 victory over their counterparts from Zambia at the Stade Chadid Hamlaoui stadium in Constantine.
Favour Daniel’s strike in the 76th minute gave the West African side all three points.
The Eaglets are in Group B alongside Morocco, South Africa, and Zambia.
Nigeria started the game on the front foot, dominating possession and creating chances but couldn’t break down the Zambian’s defense.
Abubakar Abdullah came closest to getting the opening goal of the match for the Eaglets, but his efforts on two occasions were denied by the opposing goalkeeper before both teams hit the woodwork in a scoreless first half.
The breakthrough finally came for the Eaglets in the 76th minute, Favour Daniel pounced on disarray inside the Zambian box, and the striker struck the ball into the net.
Eaglets were given the favor to double their lead after they were awarded a penalty kick two minutes into the additional time but the substitute Light Eke failed to score the penalty kick.
The lone goal ensures Nigeria took all three points going into their next match against Morocco on Wednesday.
The best four teams in this 12-team tournament will represent Africa at the U-17 FIFA World Cup later this year.
