Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have sealed their place at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Senegal in the quarter-final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The tense encounter on Monday evening saw both teams locked in a goalless stalemate after 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, despite several goal-scoring chances on both ends.
It was goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt who emerged as the hero for Nigeria, pulling off two brilliant saves during the shootout to send the Flying Eagles into the semi-finals and, more crucially, secure one of Africa’s four tickets to the U-20 World Cup.
The result marks a sweet redemption for the Flying Eagles, who were narrowly beaten 1-0 by the Lion Cubs of Senegal in the group stage of the same tournament two years ago—an edition where Nigeria went on to finish third, while Senegal lifted their first continental title.
This time, with World Cup qualification on the line, Nigeria delivered when it mattered most.
Historically, Senegal has posed a tough challenge for Nigeria at youth level. In 2019, Senegal defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the U-20 World Cup in Poland. But Nigeria also boasts a winning record against Senegal in past continental campaigns.
Notably, in 2015, Nigeria beat the hosts 3-1 in the tournament opener and edged them again 1-0 in the final to claim their seventh U-20 AFCON title. That same year, Nigeria’s U-23 team also triumphed in Senegal to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
While Senegal came into Monday’s clash with recent bragging rights, Nigeria flipped the script this time, holding their nerve to secure the win and shift momentum in their favour.
With the World Cup ticket now secured, the Flying Eagles will shift focus to the semi-finals of the CAF U-20 AFCON, hoping to push all the way for their eighth continental title.
