The Baby Elephants of Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria’s national under-17 male football team 3-2 to win the WAFU “B” U-17 Tournament in Lome, Togo.

The Golden Eaglets were unable to defend the title they won two years ago after going down to the Ivorians for the second time in the regional tournament.

Nigeria, five-times world champions, fought from 0-3 down to score twice, but it was a little too late for a comeback on the night.

The impressive Ivorians finished the tournament unbeaten by winning all their four matches, while Nigeria on the other hand won just one in four matches.

The Eaglets had started the competition poorly, losing their first match 0-1 to the same Ivorians, and then drew 1-1 with Ghana.

Nigeria squeezed through to the semi-finals on account of goals difference, before pipping Burkina Faso 1-0 to qualify for the final.

Both finalists, Nigeria and Ivory Coast, have also qualified for the 2021 CAF U-17 AFCON slated for Morocco later in the year.

Earlier in the evening, Burkina Faso’s Baby Etalons, who lost 0-1 to Nigeria in the semi finals, grabbed the tournament’s bronze medals after an 11-10 penalty shoot-out win over Niger Republic following 1-1 draw in the classification match.

The Golden Eaglets’ contingent is expected back in Nigeria on Tuesday.

Gabon international, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, struck twice as Arsenal defeated Newcastle United 3-0 in the Premier League on Monday night.

The defeat condemns Steve Bruce’s side to a ninth game without a win in all competitions.

Aubameyang had not scored twice in a game since the FA Cup final last season. But, after a goalless first-half, the Ganon striker man put Arsenal ahead in the 50th minute after beating Emil Krafth down the left before powering the ball into the top left-hand of Karl Darlow’s net.

Bukayo Saka doubled the hosts’ advantage 11 minutes later after good work down the left flank from impressive youngster Emile Smith Rowe.

Aubameyang, 31, found the net the second time in the 77th minute thanks to an assist from Cedric Soares.

After a dreadful start to the season, Mikel Arteta’s side are now up to 10th place in the league.

Arsenal have now kept a clean sheet in five straight games in all competitions.

Speaking on the win, Emile Smith Rowe, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Arsenal, said: “We enjoyed it so much. Really happy with the win today.”

“We are coming well together as a group, we have had some meetings off the pitch. The whole group is so much stronger.”

“I just want to show everyone I am good enough to be in this team.”

“I’ve been abroad and in the Championship and it has helped me develop so much on and off the pitch.”

“Playing with Lacazette up top has helped me so much.”

Burkinabe Triple Jumper, Hugues Fabrice Zango has become the first man from the West African country to create a world record.

Zango leapt to glory in France as he posted the longest ever indoor triple jump with a record of 18.07m in Aubiere, France.

A bronze medallist at the 2019 World Athletics Championship, he beat the record set by his current coach, Teddy Tamgho in 2011. He beat the record by 15 centimetres.

What became a glorious outing for Zango started with a foul, but it barely affected his morale as he went on to achieve 17.33m, 17.61m and 17.70m leaps in succession.

The next jump became the best jump of Zango’s career as he achieved a lifetime best record. His leap was 30cm better than his previous best achievement.

Burkinabe President, Roch Marc Kabore took to Facebook to hail Zango.

“Bravo champion,” said Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Kabore.

“(Zango) holds the Burkinabe flag high, filling us with pride,” he wrote.

“I ask him to keep going in preparation for a brilliant performance at the next Olympic Games.”