Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have secured the bronze medal at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a dramatic penalty shootout win over host nation Egypt.
The pulsating third-place playoff ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, with Nigeria emerging 4-1 winners in the shootout.
The match began on a tense note for the Flying Eagles, as Egypt took an early lead in the 3rd minute through a powerful strike from Hassan, igniting the home crowd and putting Nigeria on the back foot.
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Despite the early blow, the Nigerian team regrouped and gradually settled into the game.
Their resilience paid off shortly after the break when Bidemi Amole struck in the 47th minute to level the score.
The equaliser not only silenced the raucous Egyptian fans but also shifted momentum in Nigeria’s favour.
Both sides created chances in the second half and extra time, but resolute defending and outstanding goalkeeping kept the scoreline unchanged.
With the deadlock unresolved, the contest moved to a penalty shootout.
The Flying Eagles held their nerve, calmly converting four of their spot kicks, while the Egyptians struggled under pressure, scoring just one.
The 4-1 shootout victory sealed Nigeria’s third-place finish and added another chapter to their rich history in youth football, reaffirming their status as one of the continent’s strongest developmental sides.
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