WAFU B U20 Championship: Five takeaways from Flying Eagles' come-from-behind win v Les Petits Elephants

Nigeria secured a spot in the semifinals of the WAFU Zone U20 tournament after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.

After a goalless first half, Christ Ivan Alex Wawa opened the scoring for the Ivorians, slipping a shot past Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

However, Nigeria quickly responded. A well-controlled cross was expertly finished by Clinton Jephta into the bottom right corner, leaving Ivorian goalkeeper Yvann Birama Konan rooted to the spot.

The Flying Eagles then took the lead when Kparobo Arierhi, left unmarked in the box, headed home a pinpoint cross from the right, sealing the win.

With this result, Nigeria advances to the semifinals alongside Burkina Faso. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com presents five observations from the game.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu Makes Two Changes

Following the 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their opening match, coach Aliyu Zubairu has made two adjustments to the lineup for the Flying Eagles' crucial second group game against Ivory Coast.

In a bid to boost their chances of qualification, the El-Kanemi Warriors' manager brought in Sabiu Ibrahim, a defensive midfielder from Niger Tornadoes, replacing Raphael Oyebanjo, while Ebenezer Harcourt of Sporting Lagos came in for Nathaniel Nwosu.

Improved Second-Half Performance

The Flying Eagles displayed a much stronger performance in the second half against the young Elephants. Although Nigeria conceded early in the half, they responded well with goals of their own.

In contrast to their first-half showing—where Nigeria's repeated crosses lacked precision and failed to trouble Ivory Coast's defense—the team looked more dynamic after the break.

They moved the ball with greater speed, demonstrated better cohesion, and created scoring opportunities which they effectively capitalized on, showing more hunger and aggressiveness to secure the win.

Ivory Coast Struggle to Contain Kparobo Arierhi

Flying Eagles forward Kparobo Arierhi was a constant threat to the Ivorian defense throughout his time on the pitch before being substituted for Charles Agada in the second half.

Arierhi’s movement, energy, and striker instincts made him difficult to handle. Although he missed several chances in the first half, he eventually found the back of the net in the second, securing a crucial goal for Nigeria.

Lackadaisical Attitude From Ivory Coast After Scoring

Ivory Coast will rue their defeat to the Flying Eagles after delivering a disciplined and compact first-half display.

The young Elephants matched Nigeria evenly in the opening half, restricting their opponents' space and time to create meaningful chances while probing for opportunities to exploit the Nigerian defense.

Their efforts paid off early in the second half when Christ Ivan Alex Wawa scored, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

However, Ivory Coast lost focus shortly after their goal, allowing Nigeria to respond within minutes. Defensive lapses gave the Flying Eagles space around the box, making it easy for them to deliver crosses and find their targets, ultimately leading to the comeback.

Ebenezer Harcourt Justifies Selection with Key Saves As Bameyi Shines in Defense

Ebenezer Harcourt validated coach Aliyu Zubairu’s decision to start him over the more experienced Nwosu, delivering a solid performance in goal.

The young goalkeeper was reliable throughout the match, making several vital saves that helped Nigeria secure the win.

In the 62nd minute, with the Flying Eagles holding a 2-1 lead, Harcourt made a crucial stop to deny Ivory Coast an equalizer. He later produced a near-post save in the final moments to preserve Nigeria's victory.

Meanwhile, Flying Eagles captain Bameyi delivered an impressive performance in defense during Nigeria's match against Ivory Coast.

The experienced defender led Nigeria's backline with authority, making several crucial clearances and interceptions. His standout performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

Adeyemi Adewale

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