Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets were beaten 3-2 by Tanzania’s Serengeti Boys in their opening match of the 2026 China International Youth Football Tournament in Yinchuan on Sunday, Trybal News reports.
The five-time world champions produced a spirited performance in an entertaining contest but were unable to avoid defeat as Tanzania edged the five-goal thriller to claim all three points and make a winning start to the four-nation competition.
Both teams created several scoring opportunities in a closely fought encounter, with the Serengeti Boys proving clinical when it mattered most to secure a hard-earned victory.
The tournament, which also features hosts China and Australia, is part of the Golden Eaglets’ preparations for the upcoming WAFU B U-17 Championship, where they will be aiming to secure qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite the opening-day setback, Nigeria will have little time to dwell on the defeat as they turn their attention to their second fixture against Australia on Wednesday. A positive result would revive the Golden Eaglets’ hopes of finishing strongly in the tournament before they conclude their campaign against hosts China.
Head coach Uwejamomere Eboboritse will be encouraged by his side’s fighting spirit but will look for greater defensive solidity and clinical finishing as the Golden Eaglets seek their first victory of the competition.
