Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, secured a third-place finish at the ongoing CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating hosts Egypt 4-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday.
The bronze medal match, held at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo, ended in a draw after regulation time, prompting a tense shootout in which the Flying Eagles outclassed Egypt’s Young Pharaohs.
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The victory adds to Nigeria’s rich history in youth football and provides a positive conclusion to their campaign in the tournament.
The Nigerian team showed resilience and composure under pressure, converting four of their spot-kicks while Egypt faltered.
The final of the tournament between South Africa and Morocco is set to take place later Sunday night at the same venue, with both teams vying for the U-20 continental crown.
Nigeria’s triumph in the third-place match also boosts their reputation as one of Africa’s top footballing nations in youth competitions, offering a promising glimpse into the future of Nigerian football.