Nigeria defeat Zambia in AFCON U-17 opener

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria defeated Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia 1-0 in their Group B opener at the Africa Under-17 Nations Cup Group (AFCON).

Favour Daniel’s second-half strike was the sole difference in an edgy encounter on Sunday at the Stade Mohammed Hamlaoui in Constantine, Algeria.

The Nigerians began the game as the better team, creating multiple chances in the early stage.

Left-back Emmanuel Micheal marauded forward and let fly a 35-yard piledriver, which whistled just millimetres over the bar.

The Eaglet’s early control had them put the ball behind the Zambians’ net in the 13th minute, but Abubakar Abdullahi was adjudged to have strayed offside before the finish was struck.

Yet, the Nduka Ugbade-led boys maintained the momentum, and soon Abdullahi was presented with another opportunity but his header off Micheal’s cross was clawed out on the goal line by Shadrack Kalyati, the Zambian goalkeeper.

Not long later, Tochukwu Ogbadigbo shot high over the crossbar, and Kalyati made another heroic save to stop Precious Williams from giving Nigeria the lead.

The halftime break did little to hamper the Nigerians’ motivation, and Abdullahi sent a glancing header just wide after the restart.

In the 76th minute, the Eaglets’ prolonged spell of pressure paid off and Daniel was perfectly positioned in the Zambian goal area to ram in the shot into the net off a ricochet.

Deep in the stoppage time, Nigeria could have extended the scoreline after Abdullahi was pulled down in the Zambian goal area but Light Eke placed the resulting penalty into the palms of Kalyati.

Despite a late rally from the Junior Chipolopolo, Nigeria held on for the vital three points.

The Eaglets will face Morroco in their second game of the group on May 3 before playing South Africa three days later.