U-17 Championship: Eaglets salvage image, pummel Congo 7-0

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets returned to their scoring best Saturday when they thrashed Congo 7-0 at the on-going CAF Under-17 Championship in Morocco to qualify for the semi-final and also book a place in the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Turkey.

The Eaglets who were pipped 1-0 in their second group  game by Cote’d Ivoire showed their ruthless attacking prowess as they left the Congolese reeling in flurry of goals. The Congolese drew their first two games against Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Kelechi Iheanacho and the tournament leading goal scorer, Isaac Success were responsible for the destruction of the Congolese who have now crashed out alongside Ghana who played out a goalless draw with Cote d’ Ivoire in the other group game. Iheanacho scored a hat-trick, while Success recorded a brace to bring his tally so far to six goals.

Iheanacho opened the flood gates of goals in only four minutes of play, while Success made it two for Nigeria shortly afterwards and he shattered the confidence of their opponents. He added another from the spot after Congo defender Imouele fouled in the box and he was sent off.

The Congolese fought back to salvage their campaign, but that only ended in misery as they were reduced to nine men after Yobi was sent off.  Musa Yahaya slotted in the fifth goal, while Mathew Ifeanyi made it six and Iheaanacho completed the rout when he fired home with a powerful shot.

The Eaglets topped the group with six points, they will play Tunisia on Wednesday, while Cote d’Ivoire will take on Morocco in the other semi-final on Tuesday.