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NIGERIA QUALIFIES FOR AFCON 2023

 



 

The Nigeria under-20 national team has qualified for the U-20 African Cup of Nations billed to take place in Egypt in 2023. The Flying Eagles needed an extra time penalty to be Ivory Coast 2-1 in the semi-finals of the WAFU B U20 AFCOn Qualifying Tournament in Niger

 

The keenly contested match between Group B winner Nigeria and Group A runners-up Ivory Coast ended at 1-1 at full time from the two classy goals scored in the first half.

 

The Flying Eagles were the first to draw the first blood, after Daniel Daga headed the coach Ladan Bosso-tutored side in front from a corner kick within the opening five minutes.

 

Despite creating several chances, the Nigerians were wasteful in front of goal, and the Ivorians soon made them pay.

 

On the stroke of halftime, the Elephants converted a beautifully taken free-kick that had the goalkeeper rooted to the spot just at the edge of the penalty box to make it 1-1.

 

The second half saw, the Flying Eagles firing from all cylinders but the Ivorian goalkeeper and the defenders stood like the rock of Gibraltar, refusing to be broken. There were also scary moments on the other sides with the Ivorians breaking away occasionally but the Bosso boys were lucky to survive the counter-attacks.

 

Again, the Flying Eagles dominated the opening half of extra time but failed to bury numerous scoring opportunities.

 

But a few minutes into the second period, Nigeria regained their lead through a penalty kick and held on to book a place in the final.

 

With the win, the Flying Eagles have booked their place at the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations billed for Egypt.

 

The Flying Eagles will now face Benin Republic’s Baby Squirrels in the final of WAFU Zone B qualifiers on Friday in Niamey.

 

Benin Republic also defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 after extra time in the first semi-final match and secured qualification to the Africa U20 Nations Cup in Egypt.

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