The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been given the award for Fair Play at the just concluded Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which Senegal emerged as champions for the very first time.
Ladan Bosso’s boys were one of the favourites to win the tournament owing to their reputation as the most successful team in the competition’s history with seven titles. It was however not to be as the West African giants lost to eventual runners-up, the Gambia in the semi-final and ultimately claimed the bronze medal by beating Tunisia 3-0 on Saturday.
???????? Nigeria claims the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 fair play award ????@NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/r0HODLal2w
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 11, 2023
The Nigerians will now focus their attention on the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia which kicks off on May 20.
In other awards dished out before the trophy presentation at the Cairo International Stadium, Senegal’s Landing Badji was honoured with the Best Goalkeeper Award for not conceding a single goal throughout the tournament, keeping six clean sheets in total. Badji joined countrymen Edouard Mendy and Pape Mamadou Sy who also won the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and 2022 African Nations Championship respectively.
– TotalEnergies Man of the Competition: ✅
– Umbro Golden Boot: ✅
– Best Goalkeeper: ✅???????? Senegal return with a heavy bag from Cairo International Stadium ????#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 | @Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/uCSrrHcsLx
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 11, 2023
Another Senegalese in Pape Diop was awarded with the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals while Lamine Camara, who finished with three goals, was awarded the Best Player of the Tournament.
