Abuja, Nigeria – (African Boulevard News) – The TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has kicked off in Algeria, and the Nigerian team has taken a positive start by winning their opening game against Zambia 1-0. The game took place at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium, and Favour Daniel’s goal in the second half sealed the victory for Nigeria.
The Nigerian team started off strong, dominating the game in the first half, but they failed to convert their chances. Zambia also had several opportunities to take the lead, but their attempts were either saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper or went wide.
In the second half, Nigeria came out with renewed energy and determination. They increased their attacking pressure, and it paid off when Favour Daniel scored the only goal of the game in the 64th minute. Daniel received a pass from John Mark, who had beaten Zambia’s defence, and he calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper into the net.
After taking the lead, Nigeria continued to push for more goals, but Zambia’s defence held firm, and the game ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria. The Nigerian team will face Gabon next in their quest for the U17 AFCON title.
Nigeria’s coach, Fatai Amoo, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying, “I am happy with the win, though we could have scored more goals. The boys played well, and we will continue to work on our finishing ahead of our next game.”
The U17 AFCON tournament features eight teams from across Africa, and the winner will represent the continent at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru later this year.
The tournament is being hosted by Algeria for the first time, and it is expected to provide a platform for young African footballers to showcase their talents and develop their skills. The games are being played in four stadiums across the country, with the final set to take place on March 27.
As the U17 AFCON continues, fans and football enthusiasts across the continent will be watching to see which team will emerge victorious and claim the title of Africa’s best U17 team. With exciting games and talented players on display, the tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience for all involved.
