The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on Thursday kept their hope of lifting the CAF U-17 AFCON Qualifiers (WAFU B Zone) alive by thrashing Cote d’Ivoire 5-1.

Having lost their first game 3-2 to Burkina Faso, the Eaglets needed to win by at least two goal margin to be sure of a semifinal place.

The Eaglets wasted no time in getting the business of the day started as they raced to a 2-0 lead with a brace from midfielder Olatoye Olaniyan inside the first 10 minutes.

Olusegun Olakunle made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute with what stands as his third strike in the tournament.

Four minutes later, right back Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi scored the fourth after a cross from the left full back Muhammad Ibrahim to inflict further pain on the Ivorians.

In the 57th minute, man of the match Akinkunmi Amoo got rewarded for his tenacity as he scored from the spot after Olusegun Olakunle was fouled in the Ivorien’s penalty box.

Cote d’Ivoire however pulled a goal back from the penalty spot late in the game to end it 5-1.