
Lome, Togo – Nigeria’s Flying Eagles advanced to the final of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in impressive fashion on Sunday, defeating Niger Republic’s Junior Mena 3-1 PeakNews Online reports.
The win not only secured their place in the tournament’s final but also earned them a ticket to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Niger took an early lead just nine minutes into the second semi-final match at Stade Kegue. However, the seven-time African champions remained composed, as they did against Côte d’Ivoire earlier in the competition. The Flying Eagles regained control, scoring three stunning goals to complete the comeback. They will now face arch-rivals Ghana, who edged out Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in the other semi-final, in the tournament’s final.
Despite the early setback, the Junior Mena nearly doubled their lead in the 33rd minute, but Nigeria managed to hold on and shortly after found the equalizer their efforts deserved. Clinton Jephta’s superb strike from outside the box in the 35th minute, following a slick exchange of passes between Kparobo Arierhi, Abba Maigari, and Nasiru Salihu, brought Nigeria level.
Jephta continued his impressive form after the break, scoring again in the 58th minute to give Nigeria the lead. Goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt also played a crucial role, making vital saves to keep the Flying Eagles ahead. Olalekan Alonge sealed the victory with a third goal in stoppage time.
Reacting to the team’s success, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, expressed his admiration for the Flying Eagles’ determination. “I commend the fighting spirit of the Flying Eagles in reaching the final of the WAFU B U20 Championship and earning a slot at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. I watched their first match against Burkina Faso, which they lost 0-1, but the team has continued to improve with every match since then,” said Gusau.
“The NFF is delighted with their performance. We believe they have what it takes to go all the way and successfully defend their title against the Ghanaians in Wednesday’s final,” he added.