"Naija still king of African football": Fans celebrate Flying Eagles' U20 AFCON bronze win vs Egypt

• Nigeria defeated big federation Egypt 4-1 successful a punishment shootout to triumph the bronze medal astatine the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) successful Egypt
• Adamu Maigari kept the Flying Eagles' hopes alive, scoring an equaliser successful the 47th infinitesimal to nonstop the lucifer into a shootout
• This marks Nigeria’s 4th third-place decorativeness astatine the U-17 AFCON, and they besides secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup successful Chile pursuing their triumph implicit Senegal successful the quarterfinals

Nigeria won the bronze medal astatine the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) aft defeating big Egypt 4-1 successful a punishment shootout astatine the 30 June Stadium successful Cairo connected Sunday evening, May 18.

Substitute goalkeeper Ahmed Waheb was the hero, redeeming 2 retired of 3 kicks from the Young Pharaohs, portion the Flying Eagles converted each 4 of their penalties done Emmanuel Chukwu, Israel Ayuma, Kparobo Arierhi, and Tahir Maigana.

Nigeria person present secured 4 bronze medals successful the U-20 AFCON, having antecedently finished 3rd successful 1995, 2009, 2013, and 2025.

Flying Eagles are dancing aft beating the Young Pharaohs 4-1 via punishment shootout to triumph bronze astatine the U20 AFCON successful Cairo. Photo by: @CAF_Online.
Source: Twitter

First half: Egypt 1-0 Nigeria

The Young Pharaohs took the pb successful the 3rd infinitesimal done Osama Hassan, who latched onto a done shot from Mahmoud Hemida, giving Nigeria’s second-choice goalkeeper, Ajia Yakub, nary chance.

A fewer minutes later, Egyptian goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer was forced into a treble save, archetypal denying Clinton Jephta and past Precious Benjamin, portion Israel Ayuma’s long-range efforts narrowly missed the target.

Despite respective chances, Nigeria struggled to find the backmost of the net, prompting manager Aliyu Zubairu to present Divine Oliseh and Bidemi Amole to bolster the attack.

Second half: Egypt 1-1 Nigeria

Bidemi Amole equalised for Nigeria successful the 47th minute, receiving a done walk from Divine Oliseh.

The determination began erstwhile Adamu Maigari pounced connected a escaped shot from Egyptian defender Mohamed Saadoun and recovered Oliseh, who acceptable up Amole for the goal.

Looking for more, Coach Zubairu made further attacking changes, bringing connected Tahir Maigana and Nathaniel Kparobo.

Nigeria could person gone up by astatine slightest 4 goals successful the 2nd half, but Oliseh, Alabi, Ayuma, and substitute Tahir Maigana each squandered aureate opportunities.

In the dying moments of the match, Egypt astir snatched a melodramatic winner, but the Flying Eagles were saved by the woodwork.

Nathaniel Kparobo of Flying Eagles scores his punishment footwear against Egypt successful the third-place lucifer astatine the U20 AFCON. Photo by: CAF_Online.
Source: Twitter

Nigerians respond to bronze medal win

Nigerians person expressed their delight astatine the Flying Eagles' show against the Young Pharaohs successful the U-20 AFCON bronze medal match.

One instrumentality praised the Flying Eagles for playing their champion football of the tourney but noted that they struggled to person their chances.

Another instrumentality pointed retired that portion the squad showed promise, improvements volition beryllium needed earlier the World Cup.

Pamela Ilekhuoba said:

"Look astatine the mode Nigeria is playing past you wonderment however South Africa got to the last with their play."

Godwin Captain Kalu wrote:

"Nigeria is the champion squad successful Africa. With an improved finishing, they'll beryllium matchless. Great punishment kicks."

Monday John Otuwe added:

"A good deserved victory. If not wasteful goals Naija could person b*rry them earlier the PK. Congratulations to Africa 🌍 giant. All eyes 👀 connected the last now."

Caleb Sbm said:

"I watched conscionable 2 of our matches+ what radical said here."We played the champion shot successful this competition.. we are conscionable not objective capable successful beforehand of Goalll."

Mwayi Lungu wrote:

"Congratulations Nigeria you merit it and present each the champion successful the satellite cup."

Vuyo Phandle added:

"Nigeria volition ever travel aft South Africa. Bronze is what you deserve, Gold is for the existent African giants - South Africa!"

Olutade Joshua Haryodeji said:

"Olishe, Ayuma, and Yabuk request to amended their show up of the U-20 World Cup; otherwise, they shouldn't beryllium considered for the grooming camp."

Taiwo offers winning tips to Flying Eagles

Legit.ng earlier reported that erstwhile Olympique Marseille prima Taye Taiwo has shared his proposal connected however the Flying Eagles tin win astatine the upcoming CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations successful Egypt.

The 40-year-old urged the players to presumption themselves arsenic a squad alternatively than individuals, emphasising the value of ever listening to their coach.

Taiwo besides reflected connected however the squad managed to suffice for the FIFA U-20 World Cup successful 2005, contempt a challenging AFCON campaign.

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Source: Legit.ng