The Flying Eagles have qualified for the semifinal of the on-going U20 AFCON qualifying tournament in Lome, Togo, after they beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in a final Group B match.
Nigeria thus won Group B with three points and scored two goals, like Cote d’Ivoire, but more than the one than Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso recorded three points, but were eliminated after they scored the least number of goals in the group.
The Flying Eagles will therefore battle Niger, who finished second in Group A on Saturday afternoon.
The finalists of this competition will advance to the U20 AFCON slated for South Africa in January.
There were no goals in the first 45 minutes with the Ivorians creating the better chances, but goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, selected ahead of Nathaniel Nwosu today, was up to the task.
However, the Junior Elephants took the lead after 62 minutes, but almost immediately Nigeria drew level through Enyimba winger Clinton Jephta.
Striker Arierhi Kparobo will be the match winner after he only passed a late fitness test.
The Flying Eagles shot stopper then pulled off a massive save at the death to ensure Nigeria’s qualification to the last-four.
