Julius OkorieNigeria has qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup billed for Chile this September, after beating defending Champions Senegal at the ongoing U-20 AFCON in Egypt.
Flying Eagles survived a nail biting full time and extra time battle at the Suez Canal few minutes ago and went ahead to edge Senegal on penalties.
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The fierce encounter had ended goalless at regulation time and extra time before the two teams settled for penalties as a winner must emerge.
The victory has not only handed Nigeria a World Cup ticket, but has also fired her into the semi-finals of the championship as she eyes a record 8th title having won the championship a record seven times in the past. The Nigerian lads successfully converted three of their penalties against one converted by Senegal in the nervy showdown in Ismaila
Nigeria, unbeaten in the group stages, maintained their composure in the shootout with spot kicks expertly converted by Precious Benjamin, Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma. Senegal, by contrast, faltered under pressure — Pierre Dorival’s effort was saved, Mame Mor Faye’s was denied, and Ousmane Konaté crashed his attempt off the crossbar.
Seydi Diouck netted Senegal’s only penalty, but it was not enough to prevent the reigning champions from exiting the tournament.
The result marks Nigeria’s eighth successive quarter-final win at the U20 AFCON under the current format. They now advance to the semi-finals, where they will look to maintain their record of never losing a quarter-final tie in this competition.
Both sides had moments where they could have clinched victory in open play. Nigeria’s Kparobo Arierhi and Divine Oliseh each forced saves from Senegal keeper, Mouhamed Sissokho, while Senegal’s Cheikh Thiam came agonisingly close in the 42nd minute with a header that rattled the post.
As the match wore on, fatigue set in but the determination from both camps never wavered. Nigeria’s tactical substitutions — including the introduction of Precious Benjamin and Rickson Mendos — added attacking impetus late on, while Senegal reshuffled to find a breakthrough with the likes of Seydi Diouck and Mame Mor Faye.
Extra time saw Nigeria press with renewed energy. Tahir Maigana’s curling strike in the 106th minute drew a fine stop from Sissokho, while Israel Ayuma’s long-range effort two minutes later also required intervention. Yet, despite Nigeria’s dominance in the closing stages, the deadlock remained.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt, who had gone largely untested in the shootout, emerged as a quiet hero. His save against Mame Mor Faye’s spot kick proved pivotal in tilting the balance.
Senegal, who came into the tie with a strong defensive record and ambitions to retain their crown, were ultimately undone by Nigeria’s discipline and precision in the decisive moments. The result also marked their first loss in a knockout match since 2017.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
