Nigeria then secured a draw against Ghana in their second game in the competition and managed to reach the semi-finals of the tournament after results from other games favoured them.
The Golden Eaglets secured a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the semi-final to advance into the final and subsequently qualified for the 2021 U17 Africa Cup of Nations which will take place in Morocco.
Nigeria, however, failed in the last hurdle after narrowly losing to the Young Elephants in the Wafu final at Stade de Kegue.
Sindou ignited the surge of goals with a fine strike when he beat goalkeeper Destiny Emuwahem to put Ivory Coast in front in the 15th minute.
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Jan. 6, 2021 Nigeria’s national under-17 male football team on Wednesday began their campaign in the WAFU U-17 Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Cote d’Ivoire at the Stade Municipal Stadium in Lome, Togo.
The Golden Eaglets started the match on a sluggish note and their Ivorian counterparts duly dominated play.
Cote d’Ivoire almost took the lead in the 31st minute but were denied by Nigeria’s goalkeeper Destiny Emuwahem who produced a fine save.
The Eaglets gradually grew into the game with their first real opportunity coming in the 37th minute.
Joseph Arumala’s low cross into the opponents penalty area did not find the required finish.