Nigeria’s under-15 national team, Future Eagles moved closer to retaining their African Youth Games soccer gold medal, following their qualification for the final in Algiers, Algeria, with victory over the home team.
Wednesday’s 2-0 over Algeria at August 20 Stadium takes the Future Eagles into the final, where they will confront Morocco in a rematch of their group match last Thursday as well as two recent international friendlies between both teams.
Apart from Thursday’s explosive opener, Nigeria and Morocco faced off in two friendly matches in Marrakech a year ago, with the Moroccans winning the first 1-0 and the other ended 1-1.
Nigeria will now seek an encore, after Adeleke Tobi put the 2014 winners ahead from the penalty spot before John Mark Shirsha solidified the advantage to take the Future Eagles into what promises to be an interesting final against their familiar foes.
The Moroccans, who edged Cameroon in the other semi-final at Sidi Moussa Stadium, will be angling to avenge their 2-3 opening loss to the Nigerians when both teams clash in the final at same venue on Friday.
It would be recalled that the Eagles came from two goals down to defeat the Moroccans with a brace from Divine Nwachukwu and one by Chidera Ejiofor at Bab Ezzouar Stadium, before a commanding 5-0 win over Djibouti at same venue on Saturday.
Nigeria won the football gold at the last African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana four years ago, after winning four of five matches and drew one, in a round-robin format.
