Flying Eagles after the 1-0 win will now face the winner of the quarter-final tie between Gambia and South Sudan in the semi-final on Monday
By Kehinde Okeowo
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defeated the Hippos of Uganda 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the ongoing U20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Thursday.
The seven-time champions after the hard-earned victory qualified for the semi-final and also secured a place at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup billed for Indonesia later in the year.
The Ugandans started the game the brightest of the two sides and came close to taking the lead twice.
Nigerian goalkeeper, Chijoke Anigboso also fluffed a shot from distance but recovered to prevent the Ugandans from pouncing on the opportunity.
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Nigeria later grew into the game but failed to carve out any meaningful goal scoring chance.
Ladan Bosso’s side, however, took the lead on the half hour mark with Ibrahim Juma diverting the ball into his own net after Ibrahim Muhammad’s hit the upright.
Muhammad then came close to scoring Nigeria’s second five minutes after the break but barely missed the target from inside the box.
The Hippos went in search of an equaliser towards the end of the game but Anigboso in goal made a number of saves and the defence held firm to claim victory.
Nigeria will now face the winner of the quarter-final tie between Gambia and South Sudan in the semi-final on Monday.