Flying Eagles edge Côte d’Ivoire on penalties, advance to WAFU B U-20 final
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked a place in the WAFU B U-20 Championship final by beating host Côte d’Ivoire 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in extra time. Côte d’Ivoire took an early lead in the 18th minute, but captain Habila Simeon equalised with a header in the 68th minute—the first goal conceded by the hosts in the tournament. Abubakar Aliyu gave Nigeria the lead in the first half of extra time, only for Côte d’Ivoire to level in added time, forcing a shootout. Simeon missed Nigeria’s second spot‑kick, but goalkeeper Lawani Clinton made two crucial saves to secure the victory.
This win matters because it sends Nigeria to the final, offering a chance to claim the regional trophy and boost the profile of the country’s youth football program. Lawani’s heroics highlight the depth of talent in Nigeria’s goalkeeping ranks, while the hard‑fought win shows resilience after falling behind twice. The achievement also adds momentum for the Flying Eagles as they prepare for the final encounter.
Fans should stay tuned for the final date and opponent, which will be the winner of the other semifinal. The Flying Eagles will aim to build on this performance, and supporters can follow updates via official NFF channels. With the final approaching, will you be cheering for the Eagles to lift the WAFU B U‑20 title?