Nigeria's U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, have secured their place at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after a tense quarter-final victory over defending champions Senegal at the ongoing CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The thrilling encounter at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia on Monday ended in a penalty shootout, with Nigeria emerging 3-1 winners after both regulation time and extra time failed to produce a goal.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the standout performer, making a crucial save from Ibrahima Dieng's vicious shot in the 54th minute during regular play, and then stopping two penalties during the shootout. Senegal's Ousmane Konate sealed Nigeria's victory when his kick struck the woodwork.
The victory was especially sweet for Nigeria, coming just two years after Senegal's U-20 team, the Lion Cubs, defeated the Flying Eagles 1-0 in the group stage of the same competition on their way to winning their first continental title. This latest result tips the balance back in Nigeria's favor in this competitive rivalry.
During the match, Senegal came close in the 27th minute when Harcourt inadvertently dropped the ball, but Dieng failed to capitalize. Fifteen minutes later, Dieng's header kissed the upright as the Lion Cubs continued to threaten.
Nigeria controlled the closing stages of regular time, with Divine Oliseh, Kparobo Arierhi, and substitute Precious Benjamin all missing good opportunities. In extra time, substitute Tahir Maigana tested Senegalese goalkeeper Mouhamed Sissokho with a powerful long-range effort, while Israel Ayuma forced Sissokho to backtrack quickly to punch his free-kick over the bar.
The shootout began with Harcourt saving Pierre Diatta Dorival's first kick, before Benjamin scored to give Nigeria the advantage. Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma also converted their penalties to secure the 3-1 shootout victory.
This qualification holds special significance as only the four semi-finalists from the CAF U-20 AFCON earn tickets to represent Africa at the U-20 World Cup.
The Flying Eagles will now face the winner of Monday night's clash between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the semi-finals, as they pursue their eighth continental crown.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau expressed his delight at the qualification, stating: "The ticket to the World Cup was our first objective and we have achieved that. The second objective is to win the trophy, and after congratulating the team for their effort, I have reminded them that the country is waiting for them to bring the trophy back home."
