The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated fit-fighting Cote d’Ivoire in an intense semi-final match on Tuesday night to go to the final of the 2022 WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey.
The ticket to Saturday’s final also included a ticket to the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will be held in Egypt next year.
Daniel Daga put Nigeria ahead after only five minutes when he brilliantly evaded the Ivorian defenders to nod in from a well-weighted pull out.
The seven-time African champions then launched assault after onslaught on the Ivorian goal, but were unable to add to their tally, till the Ivorians equalized shortly before halftime from a well-taken free kick on the edge of Nigeria’s eighteen-yard box.
The game proceeded into extra time when neither team could score another goal before the end of ordinary time at the Stade General Seyni Kountché.
Forward Ibrahim Yahaya scored the game-winning goal for Nigeria in the 111th minute of play, converting a penalty kick to make it 2-1.
In Saturday’s final, Nigeria will face Benin Republic, a neighboring country.
