U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles soar past Mozambique, reach quarterfinals

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked their automatic passage to the quarterfinals of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after a convincing 2-0 win over Mozambique at the Suez Canal Stadium. The Nigerian boys secured back-to-back wins to reach the last eight.

After losing the opener to Senegal and narrowly winning their second game against Egypt, the Flying Eagles needed to avoid defeat against Mozambique in their final group game.

The Flying Eagles began the game on the front foot and were duly rewarded with an opener shortly after the half-hour mark. Mahanaim FC winger Rilwan Haliru Sarki played a ball into the feet of Samson Lawal, and the midfielder shifted the ball onto his right foot before drilling an effort into the bottom far corner from 20 yards out.

Nigeria doubled their advantage before half-time through FC Cartagena winger Ibrahim Muhammad Beji. The youngster received a pass out wide from Solomon Agbalaka before turning inwards and curling a stunning effort into the top corner in the 41st minute.

The Ladan Bosso-tutored boys held on for a vital win to book their place in the quarterfinals of the U-20 AFCON. The Nigerian boys will now join group winners Senegal in the last eight, after the Junior Teranga Lions defeated Egypt to finish the group stage on maximum points.