Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are through to the semi-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Senegal on Monday night. The intense quarter-final clash at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, ended goalless after regulation and extra time, pushing the match into a decisive penalty round.
Truth Live News gathered that the Nigerian side held their nerve as goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt delivered a standout performance, making key saves that helped seal the win for Ladan Bosso’s team. With the victory, the Flying Eagles not only advanced to the tournament’s final four but also booked their place at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, as all semi-finalists automatically qualify for the global event.
Nigeria will now face Gambia in the semi-final on Wednesday. The Gambian side caused an upset by defeating Tunisia 1-0 in their own quarter-final fixture. This sets the stage for a high-stakes encounter as Nigeria look to continue their push for an eighth U-20 AFCON title—the most in the tournament’s history.
The Flying Eagles have a rich legacy in the competition, having won the U-20 AFCON seven times—in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and most recently in 2015, when they also defeated Senegal in the final on their home soil. Since that 2015 triumph, Nigeria’s best finish came in 2023 when they secured third place with a resounding 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the bronze medal match.
Their track record on the global stage is equally impressive. Nigeria has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup multiple times and finished as runners-up twice—in 1989 and 2005. With the 2025 World Cup ticket now secured, Bosso’s side will aim to build on this momentum and possibly reclaim continental dominance.
As anticipation builds for the semi-final clash with Gambia, Nigerian fans will be hopeful that the Flying Eagles can write another chapter in their storied history—one that could end with lifting their record-extending eighth title.