Nigeria home based Super Eagles eventually crashed out of the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations after a penalty shootout defeat to Cape Verde in Thies on Saturday night.
After over an hour of stalemate, Nigeria went in front at the Stade Lat-Dior through forward Sikiru Alimi’s 64th minute strike, his second goal of the competition.
With the clock running down, Cape Verde punished some slack defending by the Eagles to draw level late in the game through Hernan Cardoso.
Shortly before the penalty shootout, Nigeria coach Imama Amapakabo introduced Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai in place of Adamu Abubakar who was in goal for the regulation period.
Afelokhai did save one of the spot kicks he faced but the trio of John Lazarus, Sikiru Alimi and Dare Olatunji all missed their takes as Nigeria lose out 2-3 in the shootout.
With the result, Nigeria lost out in the Plate Competition and stretched their losing run under Imama Amapakabo to three consecutive matches. Cape Verde will face The Gambia in the semifinal on Wednesday.
Nigeria will now return home to prepare for the return leg of their African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2020 qualifier against Togo in two weeks time.
