Nigeria's Golden Eaglets have qualified for the World Cup tournament in Chile after defeating Zambia 3-1 at the ongoing African Under-17 championship in Niger Republic.

It was a game the Golden Eaglets needed to win in order to be guaranteed passage to be able to defend their under 17 world title, which they won two years ago in the United Arab Emirates.

Two goals from Victor Osimhen and one from their skipper, Kelechi Nwakali did the job on the night for the Golden Eaglets.

Nigeria's win over Zambia means that the team have now also qualified for the semifinals of the competition, making a successive appearance at this stage.

Coming into the game, coach Emmanuel Amuneke's team were on four points while Zambia had three.
A loss would have been detrimental as Zambia would leapfrog them on the table, knocking down the team from the qualification spot.

But the Nigerian players knew what was at stake and gave their best in the quest to go through .

Osimhen showed why there is so much faith reposed in him, shooting the Golden Eaglets in front after 36 minutes to set the tone. 

Nwakali doubled Nigeria's lead just at the stroke of half time, the goal took his tally to three in three games in this tournament.

While Osimhen grabbed his second goal of the match, his third in Niger Republic, netting just three minutes into the second half, and their was no doubt where the pendulum would swing in the game.

But Zambia pulled one back through Patson Daka in the 61st minute, but Nigeria held on and secured the win.

The Golden Eaglets will now be hoping to go one step better than the runners- up position they achieved two years ago in Morocco.