The Golden Eaglets’ head coach, Manu Garba was confident his team will kick off their WAFU B U-17 Championship campaign with a victory, however it didn’t play out as scripted.

Nigeria and Burkina Faso clashed in the first group B match at the University of Accra Stadium on Thursday, but the sides had to settle for a point a piece.

“We have the confidence we will beat Burkina Faso,” the seasoned coach declared at the pre-game press conference. “We’re hopeful of the maximum points today.”

A high tempo game with chances far and between, the holders laboured but were repelled by a resolute defence and hindered by nature.

Torrential rains descended upon the pitch moments after the second half kicked off, leading to a waterlogged surface and poor visibility which hindered both teams.

Previous encounters between the two had ended in two wins each, while Nigeria edged Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final of the tournament two years ago.

In Group B, Nigeria will also face challenges from Togo and Niger Republic who play the second game on Matchday 2.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s U17 team started their campaign in the 2024 WAFU Zone B U17 Championship with a commanding 5-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday.