WAFU B U20 Championship Nigeria 3 Niger 1: Jephta at the double as Flying Eagles qualify for Afcon

The Flying Eagles came from a goal down to beat host nation Nation Niger 3-1 in the semifinal of the WAFU B U20 Championship on Sunday night at Stade de Kégué.

Aliyu Zubairu made just one change from the team that started against Ivory Coast as injury ruled out defensive midfielder Sabiu Ibrahim, and he was El Kanemi Warriors' Suleyman

Niger took the lead in the 9th minute with a swift strike from outside the penalty area and could have doubled their lead in the 33rd minute, but the woodwork came to the Flying Eagles' rescue.

Nigeria would then draw levels after a beautiful piece of play, which was rounded up with a swift strike from Clinton Jephta.

Jephta also scored the defending champions second of the night, sweeping the ball home from a low cross.

Niger came close to getting the equalizer when they delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but there was no one to put the ball in the net.

It was the Flying Eagles that rounded up the scoring with a wonderful strike from the penalty area.

Nigeria have now booked their place in the final where they will face Ghana and have automatically secured their place in the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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