Flying Eagles (PHOTO CREDIT: The NFF X Page)
Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, on Wednesday attained the final of the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship after defeating the host Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw after extra time.
The Ivorians dominated the early exchanges and took the lead in the 17th minute through Namory Keita after creating a number of early chances. Flying Eagles goalkeeper Clinton Lawani had already produced two fine saves to keep Nigeria in the contest before finally being beaten.
Nigeria struggled to create clear-cut openings in the first half as the host controlled possession and dictated the tempo, taking their slender advantage into the break.
The Flying Eagles improved after the restart and drew level in the 67th minute when captain Habila Simeon powered home a header from a long throw to make it 1-1.
Neither side could find a winner in regulation time, sending the semi-final into extra time.
Nigeria made the perfect start to the additional period as Aliyu Abubakar restored hope for the Flying Eagles with a brilliant header in the 93rd minute to put them 2-1 ahead.
However, Ivory Coast responded before the interval in extra time, capitalising on Nigeria’s failure to clear their lines to level the scores at 2-2 and set up a tense finish.
With neither side able to find a decisive goal, the match went to penalties, where Lawani emerged as Nigeria’s hero, saving two spot-kicks to hand the Flying Eagles a 4-3 shootout victory.
The result sends Nigeria into the final of the tournament, where they will bid to retain the WAFU B U20 title and secure qualification for next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
