- Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have advanced to the WAFU B U20 Championship final, securing a 3-1 victory over Niger Republic and qualifying for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations
- The Flying Eagles overcame an early deficit, equalising before halftime through Clinton Jephta and sealing the win in stoppage time
- With the win, Nigeria sets up a final against Ghana’s Black Satellites, both teams have now qualified for next year’s U-20 AFCON in South Africa
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have clinched a spot in the WAFU B U20 Championship final with a brilliant 3-1 comeback victory over Niger Republic in Togo on Sunday, October 27.
The hard-fought win not only takes Nigeria into the championship final but also secures its place in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations set for next year in South Africa.
Niger Republic made a strong start, opening the scoring just nine minutes into the game with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. They nearly doubled their lead in the 33rd minute, but the woodwork kept the Flying Eagles within striking distance.
Despite the initial setback, Nigeria quickly regrouped. Clinton Jephta equalised right before halftime, firing a precise, low shot into the bottom corner, lifting Nigeria’s hopes as they entered the second half.
Building on their momentum, Jephta struck again shortly after the break, giving the Flying Eagles a crucial lead with a calm finish from within the penalty area. The goal turned the tide firmly in Nigeria’s favour, with Alonge Olalekan eventually sealing the 3-1 victory in stoppage time, leaving Niger Republic with no chance to stage a comeback.
This win continues Nigeria’s impressive form in the tournament, bringing them within reach of defending the title they won two years ago. The final will see them Ghana’s Black Satellites, who overcame Côte d’Ivoire with a 2-1 win in the other semifinal fixture. Both Nigeria and Ghana have now earned qualification for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his players for their resilience and determination throughout the competition, he remarked,
“I commend the boys; they showed real character to fight back and win the match. It was the same way they did against Côte d’Ivoire. We were disappointed when we lost to Burkina Faso in our opening game, but we have since bounced back to top reckoning.”
As the Flying Eagles prepare to face Ghana in the final, they look to cap off their impressive campaign with the WAFU B Championship title. With historic rivalry fueling this high-stakes match, fans eagerly await the clash in Lomé, hoping to see Nigeria lift the trophy once again while celebrating their secured spot in next year’s U-20 AFCON.
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Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers had lifted the lid on his struggle with mental health during his stint at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.
Dessers faced a barrage of criticism in his early days as he struggled to adapt to the demands of Scottish football following his £4.5 million move from Italy. This period led him to seek the guidance of a psychologist to help navigate the emotional toll that comes with the ups and downs of football.
