U17 AFCON: Nigeria 0-1 Morocco – Wasteful Eaglets succumb to sucker-punch from Atlas Cubs

A very disciplined defensive performance from Morocco helped the Atlas Cubs record a narrow 1-0 win over Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets in the second Group B match at the 2023 Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.

The fans inside the Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui in Constantine had barely taken their seat when Morocco scored the opening goal. defender Tochukwu Ogbodi deflected an Abdel Hamid Maâli effort past his own goalkeeper in the second minute.
Nigeria’s threw everything on the offensive and should have equalised in the 21st minute but Abubakar Abdullahi blasted over from close range after good work from captain Precious Williams.

Moments later, Emmanuel Michael drove into the opponents’ box and unleashed a fierce shot but it was well blocked.

Morocco was on hand to block another fine strike from Favour Daniel after another lovely team move.

But it was the Moroccans who had the last chance of the first half on the counter attack but goalkeeper Richard Odoh was on hand to make the save and spare the Eaglets’ blushes.

With his pace and stamina, Abdullahi was Nigeria’s most industrious attacker upfront in that half but his wastefulness kept his team on the backfoot.

More details shortly.