Nigeria the Last African Team Standing after Gambia’s Loss to Uruguay

Nigeria the Last African Team Standing after Gambia’s Loss to Uruguay
Credit: Iconsport

The Gamia, aka the Young Scorpions, bowed out of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Round of 16, as they lost 1-0 against the South American national team, Uruguay, on Thursday night. The game was played at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades Stadium in Santiago del Estero city.

In a thrilling encounter that witnessed both teams reduced to ten men, Uruguay emerged victorious with a long-range strike from midfielder Duarte, propelling them to a quarterfinal showdown against the formidable USA.

Gambia U20 vs Uruguay U20: As It happened

Gambia faced early adversity as Mansour Mbye received a red card in the 17th minute after a VAR review confirmed his foul on Juan de los Santos, leaving them a man down. However, Uruguay failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage in the first half.

Moments before halftime, Uruguay's Luciano Rodriguez received a red card of his own following another VAR intervention, this time for elbowing Sainey Sanyang. As a result, the second half would be fiercely contested with both sides reduced to ten players.

After the break, Gambia adopted a more patient approach in possession, while Uruguay displayed a direct and attacking style, creating numerous dangerous opportunities.

Uruguay's perseverance paid off midway through the second half when Duarte unleashed a powerful low shot from 25 yards, finding the bottom corner and breaking the deadlock.

Nigeria – the Only African Team in the Quarter Finals

In a tournament that has brought both triumph and disappointment for African nations, the Nigerian U-20 national team remains as the sole representative from the continent in the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina. Senegal's journey came to an abrupt end at the group stage, accumulating only two points, while Tunisia suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Brazil in the round of 16, and Gambia was narrowly beaten by Uruguay.

Gambia, another African representative, showcased determination and resilience throughout the tournament. However, their journey ended in the round of 16 when they faced Uruguay. In a tightly contested match, Uruguay managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory, leaving Gambia to exit the competition with heads held high.

While Senegal, Tunisia, and Gambia may have fallen short in their quest for glory, the Nigerian U-20 national team remains undeterred. Displaying skill, composure, and teamwork, the Nigerian side has emerged as Africa's last hope in the tournament. With their talent and determination, they aim to make their mark in the upcoming matches and keep Africa's flag flying high.

As the Nigerian U-20 national team progresses further, the continent eagerly rallies behind them, hoping for a memorable campaign. The team's performance serves as a testament to the talent and potential that Africa possesses in youth football.

As the FIFA U-20 World Cup continues, all eyes will be on Nigeria as they carry the hopes and aspirations of the African continent. The Nigerian team's success will not only bring pride to their nation but also underline the strength and competitiveness of African football on the global stage.

The Flying Eagles will face South Korea in the quarter final of FIFA U-20 World Cup on Sunday, June 4 at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades Stadium.

This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago

Rababe Koussaimi, a 22-year-old journalist, is deeply passionate about the world of sports. She grew up in a footballing environment, supporting both Bayern Munich and Wydad Athletic Club. She began her English journalism career by hosting a podcast for the first English radio station in Morocco. Currently, the Moroccan journalist channels her enthusiasm into writing and conducting extensive research, creating insightful and engaging content for GoalBall Live readers.