Nigeria’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals were dashed by Senegal, who secured a 3-2 victory despite Nigeria’s promising start in Group B.

The Flying Eagles took the lead in the 2nd minute through Charles Agada. However, Senegal’s Idrissa Traore equalised in the 21st minute. Traore then doubled his tally just six minutes later to give Senegal the lead.

• Read more: Flying Eagles Beat South Sudan 1-0 At African Games

Nigeria’s Chibuzor Izuogu then fired home a brilliant free-kick to get his side back into the game to make the scores 2-2. However, Senegal’s Pape Diouf sealed Nigeria’s fate with a penalty-kick, securing Senegal’s place in the semi-finals and ending Nigeria’s aspirations.

Expressing his disappointment after the match, Flying Eagles coach Bosso highlighted the challenges he faced in assembling the squad.

“I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament,” Bosso said. “I didn’t have enough time to scout for players, and what I did was to watch a few games in Uyo and other places. That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze.”

“The lesson is that we need to prepare very well for future tournaments. The idea of preparing for a tournament in 13 days is really not the best. But we can take positives from the fact that some players in this squad can be nurtured for the future and possibly play for the national team.”

Following Uganda’s stunning upset over Nigeria and Senegal’s hard-fought victory against South Sudan, both teams are bracing for another intense showdown.

Nigeria, led by head coach Ladan Bosso, remains undeterred despite their initial defeat.

“We see it as a reference point to work together for future outings,” Bosso said, while emphasising the importance of learning from past matches.

Nigeria’s midfielder, Daga Daniel, echoed Bosso’s sentiments, emphasising the need for better communication and teamwork on the field in their upcoming match against South Sudan.

“Moving forward to the next game, we have South Sudan,” Daniel said. “We lack a better way of communicating on the field, and from the midfield to the attack, and we have to do better in our next game to progress.”

With Nigeria aims to bounce back from its previous encounter, Monday’s match promises to deliver another exhilarating display as the team seeks a vital victory in the African Games.

• Read more: Flying Eagles Fall To Uganda At African Games

Senegal coach, Serigne Saliou Dia, acknowledged Uganda’s formidable performance, stating, “The two teams are very good, especially Uganda.”

“Since we’ve watched them play, it is just a good thing for us to prepare and organize ourselves very well because we are coming up against a very good team.”

Senegal player, Ibrahima Diallo, reflects on their recent success, highlighting their preparation for the African Games.

“When we look at the last two years, we won almost everything. From 2021 both men and women side we try to prepare ourselves, and at the African Games, things are going well as expected,” Diallo added.

CAF/Chidi Nwoke.

Peseiro was present at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch on Tuesday morning as the Flying Eagles mauled Capital City Football Academy 4-0 in a friendly match.

The warm-up game was another tune-up session to the game against Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Goals from Samson Lawal, Agbalaka Solomon,  Olamilekan Adams and Yahaya Ibrahim ensured the Flying Eagles extended their unbeaten run to sixteen games after a 4-2 victory.

A delighted Peseiro, while speaking with Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, Ladan Bosso said the team has a lot of  quality. Peseiro is convinced that the U20 boys will put up a performance in Egypt that would be good enough to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals, in Indonesia later this year.

• Read more: 2023 AFCON Qualifier: CAF releases list of approved stadiums

The Portuguese tactician was at the match venue together with NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen and Super Eagles Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor.

The Flying Eagles are billed to play Zambia U20 men’s team, before departing Nigeria for Morocco on Wednesday January 8th, 2023.

The Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations will take place between February 18th – 12th March, 2023 in Egypt.

Speaking with Sports Journalists shortly after their training session in Abuja, Coach Bosso said Nigeria is blessed with lots of talented players and if well harnessed, will bring glory to the country.

“We have resumed our camping, myself including the technical crew and back room staff are working very hard to raise a formidable team ahead of the AFCON Under-20 Championship in Egypt next year,” Bosso said.

The top four teams from the Championship will qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup scheduled to place in Indonesia from May 20th – 11th June, 2023.

After beating Paul E Sports Academy 5-0 in Thursday’s friendly game, the team will continue its re-building process as the two-time World Cup runners-up play Capital FC on Friday and Kebbi-Selected team on Saturday.

• Read more: Egypt 2023: Flying Eagles Defeat Paul Academy in Friendly

One of the players to watch out for is a former Ottasolo Football Club winger, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, who scored the second goal when he sent a ferocious shot to the roof of the net. After the goal, Ekpenyong continued to mesmerise the opponents from the flank, as he assisted the fourth goal that sealed the win for the Flying Eagles.

Ekpenyong is a player who is fast, pacy, energetic and as well, a clinical finisher inside the box. His exploits in a match against the Abia Warriors in the Aiteo Cup, where his goal for Ottasolo sent the Abia team packing in the FA Cup.

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will be among the eight qualified teams at the Championship in Egypt next year. The Seven-time winners, Nigeria, will be making its comeback since 2019, in what will be their 18th appearance at the tournament. The Flying Eagles last won the competition in 2015.