Sports
Final: Nigeria qualify for 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations
Nigerian Flying Eagles overpowered fit-fighting Ivory Coast in an explosive semi-final match to reach the final of the ongoing WAFU B U-20 Championship in Niamey.
The match, 2-1 victory not only gave them a ticket to Saturday’s final match but also came a ticket to next year’s Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations scheduled for Egypt, NFF said in a statement on Wednesday.
Ubiquitous 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 pull-out.
The seven-time African champions then launched onslaught after onslaught on the Ivorian goal but failed to add to the tally, before the Ivorians equalized just before halftime from an intelligently-taken free kick at the edge of Nigeria’s eighteen-yard box.
Forward Ibrahim Yahaya got the winner for Nigeria in the 111th minute of play when he tucked in from the penalty spot to make it 2-1.
Nigeria will face its neighbours Benin Republic in Saturday’s final.