U20 AFCON Senegal 1 Nigeria 0 : First half goal gives Young Lions win over Flying Eagles

Nigeria's Flying Eagles began their quest to qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia on a disappointing note with a 1-0 defeat against Senegal at the Cairo International stadium, Egypt. 

The Eagles finished the game with 10 men after a late red card handed to striker, Ahmed, Abdullahi for a terrible foul. 

The Young Lions started the West African derby brightly and looked like the team to first break the deadlock. 

However, the Flying Eagles improved as the game developed and were presented with some clear cut chances which they failed to maximize. 

Alade Adams and Ibrahim Muhammad were both close to getting on the scoresheet but their efforts were wide off the target. 

Senegal then went ahead five minutes to the halftime break when forward, Souleymane Faye, scored from the rebound after Nigeria goalkeeper, Nathaniel Nwosu initially pushed the ball away from a fierce low shot. 

Influential defensive midfielder, Daniel Daga was replaced after sustaining a knee injury which could impact on his further participation at the tournament. 

The Eagles recorded no shots on target in the first half. 

Senegal were the better side collectively albeit the Nigerians showed some flashes of individual brilliance. 

Two substitutions were carried by Nigeria's coach Ladan Bosso in the second half as the duo of Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwan Sarki went off for Emmanuel Uchegbu and Jude Sunday. 

Benjamin Frederick who had been impressive in central defence, headed the ball out for corner kick in the 65th minute before the Senegalese could cause further harm. 

Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bamaiyireceived a yellow card soon afterwards for a cynical tackle on a Senegalese forward who bore down on goal. 

Nigeria's first shot on target came in the 88th minute from a long range shot fired by Onuche Ogbelu but comfortably saved by Landing Badji. 

The lack of communication noticeable among the Nigerians almost caused them a second goal as goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu and Benjamin Frederick got on each other's ways but thankfully the ball was cleared. 

Libasse Ngom almost made it 2-0 for Senegal when he rounded goalkeeper, Nwosu but his eventual shot came off the cross bar as two defenders frantically ran onto the goal line to clear the ball. 

Abdullahi was handed his second yellow card in added tone for terrible clearance that saw his boot high and hurting an opponent. 

Izuchukwu Michael

Photo Credit : CAF

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