November, 25 2023
_As FOSLA Academy Karshi Girls Crashes Out_
Nigeria's hope of making an impression, or outrightly qualifying for the inaugural edition of the CAF organized, African Schools U-15 Football tournament; now rests firmly on the shoulders of Nike Grammar School, Enugu (Boys).
This follows the rather unimpressive run-out by FOSLA Academy (Girls) Karshi, Abuja in yesterday's preliminary matches; where the eight-aside games with smaller goalposts, were played over two halves, of 25 minutes each, in Lome, capital of Togo.
Nigeria's FOSLA Academy got thrashed 0-3 by host country Togo; before being edged 2-1 by their counterparts from Côte d'Ivoire, and overpowered 2-0 by the side representing the Republic of Benin.
While FOSLA Academy Karshi, led on the trip by Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), will have to board a plane back to Abuja; the Boys of Nike Grammar School will have to battle for a place in the semifinals, and thereafter a shot at the 100,000 US dollars prize money, for the ultimate winner of each category.
Nigeria's other representatives, Nike Grammar School Enugu, had on Wednesday won their opening match 4-0 against their Togolese hosts, and were later held goalless by the champions of Côte d'Ivoire.
The tournament continues today with all the Boys' teams playing one outstanding preliminary match each. Thereafter the identities of the four semifinalists will be known, and the two semifinals will be decided later in the day, whilst the losers final and ultimate final are scheduled for Sunday, November 26th.
Unlike the Girls, the Boys competition is an eleven-aside tournament, played over 60 minutes - 30 minutes each half.
The Winners and beaten finalist of either of the categories, will go on to represent West Africa Zone B, at the continental final, at a yet to be finalized date.
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