Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have booked their place in the 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup following a slim 1-0 win over Uganda in quarterfinals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Thursday. 

With the chance of qualifying for the World Cup on the line, U-20 AFCON record-holder, Nigeria needed a victory to reach the last four of the continental tournament as all the semifinalists would represent Africa in Indonesia.

It was the Ugandans that made the attacking threat in the early minutes of the game but the composed Nigeria’s defence line and brilliance of goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso kept the Flying Eagles afloat. 

Then on the half hour mark, Nigeria found the back of the net thanks to Ibrahim Juma’s own goal after deflecting Ibrahim Muhammad’s shot which struck the post into his own net.

Both teams made several attempts to score in the second half of the encounter but were unsuccessful as the half ended goalless. Juma’s own goal proved decisive in sending Nigeria into the semifinal of the competition and place in the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, Senegal continued their perfect form in the tournament after beating Benin Republic by a lone in the second quarter-final fixture, securing their spot in the last four round and the U-20 FIFA World Cup.

The first half ended goalless between the two West African nations but Samba Diallo’s strike six minutes into the second half was enough to ensure the ‘Young Lions of Teranga’ victory in a hotly contested match.