African U-17 Championship: Golden Eaglets scrape 1-1 draw with Guinea

NIGERIA’S Golden eaglets on Wednesday in Niamey struggled to secure a 1-1 draw with their Guinean counterparts at the 11th African Under-17 Championship in Niger Republic.

The Eaglets, who were 2-0 winners over the hosts on Sunday, were favourites to win the match against the Guineans who also won 1-0 against Zambia on Sunday.

But they found it a difficult task, even as a win would have moved them into the semi-finals and a place in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The Guineans took the lead after 13 minutes through Sam Diall, who scored a penalty kick after an infringement by the Nigerian side on Yamodou Toure.

The Eaglets shrugged off the setback quickly, but they were unable to break down their opponents who held on to their lead until the 82nd minute.

Kelechi Nwakali drew the Nigerian side level through a penalty kick as the Guineans started looking towards qualification for the semi-finals.

Guinea’s Alseny Soumah was sent off four minutes later as the game wore on to a stalemate.

The Golden Eaglets still maintain the Group A leadership with four points from two matches, with the Guineans in second place with four

points also.

Zambia faced hosts Niger Republic in the group’s other game later on Wednesday, but qualification into the last four stage is now hanging until Saturday.

Then, all four sides will play their final group games, with Nigeria against Zambia and Niger Republic against Guinea.(NAN)