AFCON: F’Eagles pip Egypt 1-0, keep hope alive

Nigeria’s U-20 men’s team, the Flying Eagles, defeated hosts Egypt 1-0 on match-day two of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations at the Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday to keep hope of qualifying for the knockout stage of the competition alive, after their opening defeat to Senegal.

The Flying Eagles lost 1-0 to the Junior Teranga Lions of Senegal on Sunday but fought hard to get a vital victory against Egypt on Wednesday.

Nigeria are in Group A with Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique

The Flying Eagles were desperate for a win in their second game and pressed the Egyptians, but the first half ended goalless.

Coach Ladan Bosso brought in Adams Alade for Samson Lawal in the 59th minute as Nigeria continued to search for the opening goal.

Relief finally came for as defender Solomon Agbalaka broke the deadlock in the 71st minute following a brilliant assist from Muhammad Aminu to give Flying Eagles the lead.

The seven-time champions mounted pressure in search of the second goal but the Young Pharaohs resisted the onslaught.

Substitute Alade was cautioned in the 93rd minute as the final score ended 1-0.

The win takes Nigeria to second place on the log in Group A, three points behind Senegal, who thrashed Mozambique 3-0 in their second match, after their opening win over Flying Eagles.

The Young Pharaohs played a goalless draw in their first game against Mozambique and are third on the log with one point, but with a -1 goal difference, while Mozambique have one point and a -3 goals difference from two matches.

Bosso’s boys will be hoping to seal a quarterfinal spot when they play Mozambique on Saturday in their last group match.

Kick-off time for Saturday’s game is 7pm local time (6pm Nigerian time).