U20 AFCON Niger 0 Nigeria 1 : Alhassan Second Half Strike Sees Flying Eagles Book Place In World Cup

Nigeria's U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles  on Friday booked a ticket to the semifinals of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and ultimately a place at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland with a 1-0 win over hosts Niger thanks to a second half goal by Adamu Alhassan.

The first half of the Group A game was cagey with chances at premium albeit the hosts launched few attacks through Nigeria's right side of defence.

The Nigerian defence had trepidation as Niger had successive chances with about 20 minutes left to play but the Flying Eagles eventually cleared their lines.

Nigeria's midfielder Alhassan however broke the deadlock with a free kick in the 73rd minute with the ball not touching any player on its way into the net.

The Flying Eagles almost conceded an equaliser with seven minutes left on the clock as Issah Salou's header went inches away from beating goalkeeper Olawale Oremade.

South Africa defeated Burundi 1-0 also to join the Nigeria side in the last four.

Izuchukwu Okosi