Having qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and booked a ticket to the semifinal of the on-going African U-17 Nations Cup holding in Tanzania, Nigeria U-17 team still have yet another hurdle to cross at the continental championship.
Nigeria will take on Guinea at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, to decide who gets a place in the final.
Nigeria has won the AFCON U-17 tournament twice, in 2001 and 2007, and are the record winners of the FIFA U17 World Cup (five times).
The 2019 edition of the AFCON U-17 championship is Nigeria’s ninth time at the continental showdown, a feat that would most definitely give the Guineans a run for their money.
Guinea, on the other hand, would not be a walk in the park for the Nigerian team, having defeated defending champions, Mali, at the WAFU tournament in September 2018 to earn their ticket, depriving the Malians a ticket to the 2019 edition of the AFCON U-17 tournament.
All four countries in the semi-final would be looking to break through to the AFCON final which is scheduled to take place in Tanzania’s capital on Sunday.
Cameroon will take on Angola in the other semi final fixture on Wednesday.
According to thenff.com, Nigeria’s lineup for the semifinal will most likely be the same crop of players that have dazzled fans through the games.
Starting Lineup
Goalkeeper
Sunday Stephen
Defenders
Shedrack Tanko
Ogaga Oduko
Clement Ikenna
David Ishaya
Midfielders
Samson Tijani (captain)
Mayowa Abayomi or Fawaz Abdullahi
Olatomi Olaniyan
Forward
Akinkunmi Ayobami Amoo
Olakunle Olusegun
Wisdom Ubani
Featured image source: thisdaylive