Nigeria’s youth national team, Flying Eagles stumbled into the semi-finals of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over host Niger Republic on Friday, sports247.ng reports.
Alhassan’s late effort helped Paul Osahon Aigbogun’s side eke out the desired with, which also took them into the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, with a chance to go further than silver medals in 1989 and 2005.
Aigbogun and his wards will now await either Mali or Ghana in the last four, to keep alive their target of a record-extending eighth continental title, as the Nigerians have seven in the bag from previous squads.
Alhassan’s 72nd minute goal almost came against the run of play, as Junior Mena fought hard and gallantly to find their route to a much-desired victory, that would have taken them through.
Aigbogun’s side, who needed only a draw to pick the group’s top spot, then allowed complacency enter their game, and it almost worked against them, as Issah Salou almost headed home the equaliser.
Jeers then reeled round the stadium, as Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Oremade denied Sabo the chance of equalizing late on,,leaving the hosts unhappy with the scoreline that sent them packing from the competition.
