Flying Eagles Defeat Mali to Progress to the WAFU U-20 Final

The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U-20 male football team, beat the Black Satellites of Ghana 4-2 in their final group game to advance to the semifinals of the competition.

The semifinal between Nigeria and Mali was a closely contested affair with both sides struggling to impose themselves on their opponents from the get-go.

The Flying Eagles fell behind as early as the 11th minute when Sambou Cissoko scored for Junior Eagles of Mali at the Stade Municipal.

The lead lasted until the half-time break but the Flying Eagles equalised in the 47th minute through Valentine Ozornwafor.

The game ended 1-1 as both sides failed to convert numerous chances, with Nigeria victorious 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out.

The victory meant Nigeria progressed to the final where they will take on the Senegal who beat Niger Republic also on penalties.

The game between Niger and the Junior Lions of Teranga ended 2-2 at full time, Ousseynou Niang and Souleymane Aw scored for Senegal while Abdoulaye Salou Issah put the ball in the back of the net two times for Senegal.

The final between Nigeria and Senegal is scheduled for Saturday, December 15 after which both sides will continue preparation for the 2019 U-20 AFCON