Flying Eagles reach AFCON quarter-finals after Kenya stalemate
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship in Egypt, following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Kenya’s Rising Stars in their final Group B match. Despite not securing a win, the result was enough to see the seven-time champions finish second in the group with five points, […]
Flying Eagles
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship in Egypt, following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Kenya’s Rising Stars in their final Group B match.
Despite not securing a win, the result was enough to see the seven-time champions finish second in the group with five points, behind Morocco who topped the table with seven after a 3-1 win over Tunisia.
The Flying Eagles, who now shift base to Ismailia, will face the second-placed team in Group C in Monday’s quarter-final showdown. Group C features defending champions Senegal, arch-rivals Ghana, Central African Republic, and DR Congo, setting the stage for a potentially explosive clash.
In a tense encounter at the Cairo venue, Nigeria had to dig deep after twice falling behind to a determined Kenyan side. The East Africans struck early through Kevin Wangaya’s fifth-minute penalty, awarded after a Nigerian defender handled the ball in the box. But winger Kparobo Arierhi responded swiftly, weaving through the defence to slot home the equaliser in the 12th minute.
Kenya regained the lead midway through the second half when William capitalized on poor defending to convert from a set-piece. However, Nigeria showed resilience once again. Captain Daniel Bameyi converted from the spot in the 73rd minute after substitute Mendos Rickson was fouled, ensuring the Flying Eagles stayed alive in the tournament.
The quarter-final match on Monday will kick off at 3pm local time (1pm Nigeria time), with the Flying Eagles eager to push forward in their quest for an eighth continental crown.
Meanwhile, the semi-final lineup for the President Federation Cup Women’s competition is now complete following a dramatic quarter-final round. Rivers Angels secured their place after a tense 1-1 draw with Remo Ladies, eventually triumphing 3-1 in the penalty shootout. Ibom Angels also advanced via penalties, edging Heartland Queens 4-3 after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
Edo Queens delivered a solid performance to overcome Unification Ladies 1-0, while Nasarawa Amazons produced the most dominant display of the round, thrashing Sunshine Queens 4-0 in a one-sided affair.
The semi-final fixtures will see Rivers Angels take on Ibom Angels, while Edo Queens face Nasarawa Amazons in what promises to be an intense clash of top-tier teams. With a spot in the final at stake, all four sides will be looking to push through and claim glory in Nigeria’s prestigious women’s football competition.