Flying Eagles
Flying Eagles qualify for 2023 Africa Under-20 AFCON
National Under-20 male football team, the Flying Eagles, have booked their place to the finals of the WAFU B Under-20 Championship in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic.
The Flying Eagles, had Tuesday, defeated Cote d’Ivoire in the first semi-final match of the tournament to reach the final via a 2-1 result.
The victory not only gave them a ticket to Saturday’s final match but also qualification for next year’s Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations scheduled for Egypt.
Midfielder Daniel Daga put Nigeria in front after only five minutes, when he cleverly escaped the attention of the Ivorian defenders to nod in from a well-weighted pullout.
The seven-time African champions then launched onslaughts after onslaughts on the Ivorian goal but failed to add to the tally.
It was rather the Ivorians who equalised just before half-time from an intelligently-taken free-kick at the edge of Nigeria’s penalty box.
Neither team could find another goal before the end of regulation time inside the Stade General Seyni Kountché in Niamey, as the game went into extra time.
Forward Ibrahim Yahaya got the winner for Nigeria in the 111th minute of play when he tucked in from the penalty kick spot to make it 2-1.
Nigeria will now meet neighbours Benin Republic in Saturday’s final match.
