Niger vs Nigeria's Eaglets kick-off Saturday 4pm

Friday Aug 19, 2016. 16:39

The return leg of an U17 AFCON qualifier between hosts Niger and Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will kick-off by 4pm Nigerian time in Niamey.

The match will be played on the artificial turf of Stade Municipal de Niamey, where the Golden Eaglets' class of 2015 defeated Zambia 4-2 to seal their qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile.

The first leg in Abuja ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria.

The overall winners of this match-up will face either Gabon or Algeria in the final qualifying playoff for a place in next year’s U17 AFCON in Madagascar.

The Golden Eaglets have arrived in Niamey for the qualifier and are booked at the Royal Palace Hotel.

The players have expressed confidence ahead of the crucial game.

"We are ready for the Nigeriens," captain Abduljabar Sani declared. "This is the first time most of us would travel out of the country and we don't want it to end on this our first trip; that means we must Insha Allah (by the grace of God) do everything to qualify for the next round."

"This match is important for our careers and what Governor Tambuwal told us before we left Sokoto is at the back of our minds. We are going to give the match our best shot," defender Solomon John added.