The Flying Eagles of Nigeria hammered Tunisia 4-0 on Friday evening to claim the bronze medal at the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (U20AFCON) in Cairo, Egypt.
Having lost to The Gambia at the semi-final stage on Monday, Nigeria’s U20s bounced back in emphatic fashion, beating North Africans Tunisia at the Cairo International Stadium by four unreplied goals to claim the consolatory third spot.
Winger Jude Sunday made the most of his first start in the competition to fire home a spectacular brace for Ladan Bosso’s men who saw off the Tunisians, coached by footballing legend Adel Sellimi with ease.
Flying Eagles exert dominance over Tunisia
Nigeria went in front in the 9th minute when Ibrahim Beji Muhammad slid into an empty net after a brilliant overlapping run and cross by Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi.
Belgium-based striker Ahmed Abdullahi doubled the lead for Nigeria within the opening seconds of the second half before Sunday hammered home a left-footed effort from inside the box after a brilliant solo run to make it three three minutes later.
Sunday then provided the icing on Nigeria’s cake in stoppage time as the Flying Eagles ensured a 1,2,3 finish for the West African region in the biennial continental tournament.
West African neighbours Senegal and The Gambia will slug it out in Saturday’s final of the cadet championship in what is a repeat of the WAFU A final. Both teams are yet to concede a goal in this year’s tournament and have already scored double digits in goals.
All four semi-finalists including Nigeria’s victim on Friday, Tunisia will represent Africa at the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup to be hosted by Indonesia. Draws for the tournament will hold on March 31 in Jakarta.
NFF moves U23 tie to Abuja
The Nigeria Football Federation has moved the final round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier game between Nigeria and Guinea which will be played on Wednesday, March 22 from Ibadan to Abuja.
The game was earlier scheduled for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan with the return leg coming up on March 27 in Guinea.
In a statement released by the NFF’s Director of Media and Communications on Thursday, the fixture will now be played in Abuja, two days before the Super Eagles will host Guinea Bissau in a 2023 AFCON qualifier at the same venue.
“Nigeria’s U23 boys, Olympic Eagles will now host their Guinean counterparts at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday, 22nd March, in the final round of qualifiers for this year’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations,” the statement read in part.
Head coach of the team, Salisu Yusuf, had called up 30 players who are currently training in Abuja.
The winner over two legs between Nigeria and Guinea will advance to the finals of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations scheduled to be hosted by Morocco in June.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
