U-20 AFCON: Nigeria Defeats Uganda To Advance To Semi Final

Last updated Mar 2, 2023

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are through to the semifinals of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Uganda 1-0 at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium on Thursday evening.

The defeat came thanks to a first half own goal by Uganda’s Ibrahim Juma.

By reaching the semifinals and on course to win their 8th title, the Flying Eagles have also clinched one of Africa’s four tickets for the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Indonesia between May 20 and June 11.

The Flying Eagles had the first half under control and piled on the pressure.

However, they were playing against a Ugandan side short of confidence as they finished top of Group B without suffering a defeat.

Ibrahim Muhammad came closest to scoring for Nigeria as early as the third minute but his fierce shot was deflected and eventually cleared.

The Flying Eagles, despite missing the services of the influential Daniel Daga, were not short of effort and industry, and their enterprising display yielded fruits on the half-hour mark.

Uganda did have their few opportunities in the first half but the seven-time African champions broke the deadlock eventually with half an hour played when Mohammad’s shot came off the foot of the post and inadvertently deflected off the unlucky Juma.

With the win, Nigeria have now joined Senegal in the semifinals of the U-20 AFCON. The Senegalese defeated the Benin Republic by a similar scoreline earlier in the day.

The Flying Eagles have also qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be staged in Indonesia later in the year.

Nigeria will face the winner between South Sudan and the Gambia who play on Friday evening.

Emmanuel Ukoh