Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on Monday defeated defending champions Senegal 3-1 on penalties to advance to the semi-final of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (U20AFCON) and consequently seal a place at the 2025 World Youth Championships, www.aclsports.com reports.
Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the hero of the day for the Nigerians after saving two of the four spot kicks taken by the Teranga Cubs with one other hitting the cross bar before rebounding to safety.
The Nigeria Under 20s were facing their West African rivals for a second successive U20 AFCON tournament in Egypt after both sides finished second in their respective group. But unlike in 2023, Nigeria emerged victorious at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Nigeria started the brighter of both sides and dominated possession but met a brick wall in the defence of the Senegalese as well as goalkeeper Mohammed Sissokho who denied Kparobo Arierhi from point blank range midway through the first half.
Senegal grew into the game and made for a tighter contest in the second half although their best chance only came in extra time with a header flashing wide. Both sides, tired in extra time saw off the extra minutes to set up a pulsating shootout.
Harcourt set the tone for a successful shootout for Nigeria when he saved the first take by Pierre Dorival with substitute Precious Benjamin firing into the roof to give Nigeria advantage.
Bemjamin’s club mate Emmanue Chukwu and Croatia based Israel Ayuma also converted Nigeria’s second and third spot kicks while Harcourt saved Senegal’s third attempt through Mame Mor Faye before Osumane Konate hit the cross bar in the decisive kick.
Nigeria will now face the winner of the match between South Africa and Congo Democratic Republic in the semi-final on Thursday. Aliyu Zubair’s side are also the first African team to confirm their spot at the FIFA U20 World Cup billed for Chile in September.
