Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked their place within the semi-finals of the U-20 AFCON with a nervy however hard-fought victory over defending champions Senegal in a goalless conflict that was determined by a penalty shootout, Soccernet.ng reviews.

Regardless of creating the majority of the possibilities throughout regulation and further time, Aliyu Zubairu’s boys have been repeatedly denied by Senegal’s rock-solid goalkeeper, Mouhamed Sissoko, in a sport the place each groups struggled to transform their alternatives into targets.

Nevertheless, when it mattered most, Nigeria’s shot-stopper Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt delivered in type. After a 120-minute stalemate, Harcourt produced two essential saves throughout the shootout, and with Senegal’s remaining penalty crashing towards the crossbar, Nigeria sealed their spot within the semi-finals—and with it, a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

4 Takeaways from Nigeria vs Senegal

1. Nigeria Dominated however Lacked the Ending Contact

The Flying Eagles set the tempo from the beginning, registering 4 pictures inside the first 26 minutes whereas protecting Senegal from threatening their objective.

Divine Oliseh, Kparobo Arierhi, and Clinton Jephta all had makes an attempt blocked or saved in a primary half that might have simply swung in Nigeria’s favour.

2. Goalkeepers Took Centre Stage

Senegal’s Mouhamed Sissoko and Nigeria’s Ebenezer Harcourt have been essential figures. Sissoko pulled off quite a few saves—most notably from Arierhi’s 94th-minute header—to frustrate Nigeria.

Harcourt, in the meantime, grew into the sport and finally grew to become the hero within the shootout with two important stops.

3. Missed Possibilities in Further Time Heightened the Stress

Neither workforce might capitalise in further time, although each had shut calls. Nigeria’s Valuable Benjamin noticed his effort fly over the bar, whereas Senegal had a header narrowly miss the goal. The impasse continued as nerves set in and fatigue took its toll.

4. Harcourt’s Penalty Heroics Sealed World Cup Qualification

When the match went to penalties, Harcourt’s composure was unmatched. He saved two Senegalese spot-kicks earlier than their remaining try hit the bar, handing Nigeria a 3-1 shootout win.

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Nigeria earned their spot on the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025! #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/IwaGnsSMST

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) Might 12, 2025

With that, the Flying Eagles punched their ticket to the World Cup and stored their title hopes alive.