Nigeria lost 3-2 to C Côte d’Ivoire in the final of the 2021 WAFU U-17 championship at the Stade Kegue in Lome, Togo on Monday.
The who beat Burkina Faso to secure a place in the final and qualification for CAF U17 African cup of Nations failed to clinch the ultimate trophy.
The Ivorian side who were unbeaten since the group stages bagged the first goal from a corner kick in the 15th minute.
They almost doubled in the 32nd minute, but Eaglets goalkeeper Destiny Umuwahen saved a goal-bound shot from attacker Charles Likpa.
The Eaglets came close to equalising in the 42nd minute, but a long-range shot from Christian Nwachukwu sailed over the bar.
In the 59th minute, the Baby Elephants doubled their lead through Abdrumane Konate, who tapped in from close range.
Seydou Traore who was brought on in the second half scored the third for the Ivorians in the 84th minute before two late goals from Eaglets’ star Ahmed Abdullahi made the scoreline more respectable.
The Eaglets will now commence preparations for the 2021 Africa U17 Cup of Nations holding in Morocco in March.