In a nerve-shredding semifinal showdown at the WAFU B U20 Championship, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles held their composure to edge past Niger on penalties and book their place in the final, their third straight appearance in the regional decider
Nigeria's U20 team have booked their place in the final of the 2025 WAFU B U20 Boys Championship after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Niger.
The Flying Eagles were made to work hard for their place in the final, with the encounter ending goalless after regulation time.
Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Aliyu Zubairu’s men were unable to find the breakthrough during 90 minutes of intense action in Abidjan.
Niger, who finished second in Group B, showed great defensive discipline, frustrating the favourites and pushing the tie to a tense shootout. Nigeria, winners of Group A, stepped up when it mattered most.
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Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt crucially stopped Niger's first penalty kick while the second struck the woodwork to hand the Flying Eagles the advantage.
Captain Daniel Bameyi converted the decisive penalty as Nigeria triumphed 4-3 in the shootout. The Flying Eagles scored four of their five kicks, while Niger managed to convert only three.
The result ensures Nigeria’s third consecutive final appearance in the regional competition. The West African giants have a perfect record in recent WAFU B finals, having won their last two, including last year’s 2-1 victory over Ghana.
Zubairu's side will now await the winner of the second semifinal between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, who topped Group B and finished second in Group A respectively.
The Flying Eagles are now just one win away from claiming a third successive WAFU B crown and further underlining their dominance in West African youth football.
