U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles cruise to knockout stage with 2-0 win over Mozambique

Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, have qualified for the knockout stage of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations with a comfortable 2-0 win over Mozambique in their final Group A game.

The match held at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia saw the Flying Eagles dominate proceedings from the start of the game. Ibrahim Mohammed and Samson Lawal scored in the first half to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the competition.

Muhammad tested the Mozambican keeper, Kimiss Zavala, with a speculative shot from distance in the fifth minute. Nigeria continued to mount pressure on Mozambique with Haliru Sarki and Muhammad trying their shots at scoring.

It took Samson Lawal to score a stunning long-range shot in the 32nd minute to give Nigeria the lead after keeping Mozambique at bay for over 30 minutes.

The Flying Eagles doubled their lead four minutes before halftime through Mohammed’s goal. After an assist by Muhammad Aminu, Mohammed sent a sumptuous strike into the back of Mozambique’s goal, bringing the first half to an end.

The second half saw Nigeria making substitutions to give other players a chance to play while Mozambique played on the break. Bosso introduced the likes of Jude Sunday and Olamilekan Adams who, on different occasions, attempted to increase the Flying Eagles’ lead but failed due to Zavala’s efforts.

With the win, the Flying Eagles now join Senegal, Congo, Uganda, and Gambia in the quarterfinals, while Egypt and Mozambique are eliminated from the competition.