Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the knock-out round of the 2023 U-20 AFCON was boosted with the Flying Eagles 1-0 win over hosts Egypt on Wednesday evening.
After falling to a 1-0 loss to group leaders Senegal in the first game, Ladan Bosso tutored Flying Eagles understood the task at hand vs Egypt and did just enough to get the victory.
It was the Egyptians who bossed the opening exchanges as they looked to better their goalless draw vs Mozambique in the opening game.
The Flying Eagles absorbed the pressure before eventually creating goal-scoring opportunities in a drab first half at the Cairo International stadium.
In the 50th minute, Nigeria had an Injury scare as Benjamin Frederick required medical attention after the ball hit his face off the boots of Egypt’s Bilal Mahzar.
Solomon Agbalaka was a torn in the flesh of the Egyptian defence line. In the 52nd minute his darting run into Egypt’s 18-yard box opened up chance for a breathrough but his cutback pass into the area was cleared for a corner kick.
Nigeria will have goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso to thank for making strings of fantastic saves to deny the young Pharaoh’s halfway through the second half.
With 20 minutes of regulation time to go, Solomon Agbalaka found the breakthrough for Nigeria. His bullet header from a corner kick graced the net to give Nigeria the lead.
The goal brought the game to live as the Egyptians piled pressure in search of an equalizer but their attempts were repelled by a fully packed Flying Eagles defence line.
With the clock ticking away, Nigeria Substitute, Emmanuel Uchegbu missed an opportunity to double the lead when he dragged foot instead of hitting a first time shot with the goal at his mercy.
It finished Nigeria 1-0 Egypt. An important win which takes the Flying Eagles to second spot in Group A behind leaders Senegal who have six points following a 3-0 defeat of Mozambique today.
Seven-time Africa U-20 Cup of Nations champions Nigeria will face Mozambique in the final group game while Egypt will take on Senegal.
As it stands, only Senegal are sure of a place in the knock-out round. Coach Ladan Bosso tutored Flying Eagles must at least avoid defeat vs Mozambique to reach the next round.
