Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets kicked off their WAFU-B U17 Championship campaign in style, cruising to a 4-1 victory over Benin Republic’s Baby Cheetahs in Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire on Wednesday.
George Agha won the Most Valuable Player award as he bagged a hat-trick, while David Edeh added a touch of class with a well-taken free-kick to seal a dominant performance from the Nigerian side.
Agha started the scoring early when he calmly converted a penalty just three minutes in, after a Benin player brought down Boluwatife Thompson inside the area.
David Edeh, the Adoration FC midfielder increased the lead with a sublime free-kick that left the Benin goalkeeper rooted on the spot.
The five-time World champions were a handful for their opponents, applying relentless pressure.
Agha struck again in the 14th minute to hand Manu Garba’s boys a commanding three-goal cushion. The striker then completed his treble just after the half-hour mark, capitalizing on a defensive error following neat interplay between Thompson and Edeh.
Benin pulled a goal back just before the break, as Jeremy Zannou beat the Nigerian goalkeeper with a low drive in the 45th minute.
The second half was the opposite of the first, as no goal was scored as the Golden Eaglets recorded a comprehensive victory to kick off their campaign.
