Nigeria U-20 men’s team, the Flying Eagles, overcame the Hippos of Uganda 1-0 in their quarterfinal encounter on Thursday at the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
FULL-TIME! ⏰
Nigeria pick up the win against 2021 silver medalists ????#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 | #UGANGA pic.twitter.com/S9jeubBXUP
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 2, 2023
The victory at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismaila, Egypt, helped the Ladan Bosso side book a berth in the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Indonesia in May.
The Flying Eagles looked sharper and played with more intent as they took control of the game from the beginning. They finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with an element of luck.
Following some nice interchange of passes on the left flank, Ibrahim Muhammad dazzled into the box and let a right-footed shot fly, but his effort struck the left post before richocheting off Ugandan defender Ibrahim Juma and into the goal.
NIGERIA ➡️ FIFA U20 WORLD CUP ????
The Flying Eagles are 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 semi-finalists ???? @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/SrfS2NK6ah
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 2, 2023
The Young Eagles had a barrage of chances in the second half, but they failed to take any to increase their tally. However, they held on for the win and sealed a spot in the semifinals, where they will play the winner of the quarterfinal tie between The Gambia and South Sudan on Monday, March 6, at the Cairo International Stadium at 6pm WAT.
Elsewhere, the Young Teranga Lions of Senegal also booked a spot in the semifinals of the U-20 AFCON and a place in the U-20 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win over Benin.
FULL-TIME! ⏰
Senegal cruise past Benin in the first quarter-final game! #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 | #SENBEN pic.twitter.com/84uG4koAzd
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 2, 2023
A second-half header from team captain Samba Diallo was sufficient to help Malick Daf’s side to their fourth ever appearance at the World Youth Football Tournament.
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 semi-finals: ✅
FIFA U20 World Cup: ✅Senegal roar into the penultimate stage ???? @Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/Ino5MazAGN
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 2, 2023
Senegal have yet to concede a goal in the ongoing competition and have scored nine goals in four games to continue their dominance. They will face the winner of the quarterfinal game between Congo and Tunisia at the Suez Canal Stadium on Monday at 3pm WAT.
