Nigeria Defeat Niger Republic To Qualify For Africa U20 Cup Of Nations Final
2 years ago 2 min read
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Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated Niger Republic 3-1 to qualify for the final of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in style.
The victory also sealed their place in the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Niger took the lead in the ninth minute before the Flying Eagles bounced back with three goals to set up a final clash against Ghana, who defeated Cote d’Ivoire 2-1.
Against the run of play, the Junior Mena came close to doubling their advantage in the 33rd minute, but Nigeria survived and shortly after, found the equalizer.
Clinton Jephta finished from outside the box to put Flying Eagles on level terms in the 35th minute, after an eye-catching interchange of passes among Kparobo Arierhi, Abba Maigari and Nasiru Salihu.
Jephta was on target again 13 minutes after the restart, putting Nigeria ahead for the first time in the match, and goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt deserves praise for his excellent saves that maintained Nigeria’s advantage.
The Flying Eagles netted the third in added time, through Olalekan Alonge.
Nigeria recovered from a slow start to the competition after losing to Burkina Faso in the first match to seal a place in the final to the delight of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, who showered encomiums on the team at the end of the encounter.
He said: “I commend the fighting spirit of the Flying Eagles in reaching the final of the WAFU B U20 Championship and in the process, winning a slot at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. I watched their first match against Burkina Faso (which they lost 0-1) but the team has continued to improve with every match since then.
“The NFF is delighted with their performance. We believe they have what it takes to go all the way and successfully defend their title against the Ghanaians in Wednesday’s Final.”
