Nigeria’s U-20 national team, Flying Eagles, began their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Egypt on a losing note Sunday evening with a 1-0 defeat to the junior Teranga Lions of Senegal.
The U-20 tournament serves as qualifiers to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia but Ladan Bosso’s team have put themselves in a very difficult position after a disappointing game at the Cairo International Stadium.
The team finished the match with 10 players after striker Ahmed Abdullahi received two yellow cards within 15 minutes of coming off the substitute bench.
The Flying Eagles were presented with a couple of good chances to score but it was Senegal that eventually went ahead in the 40th minute through Mame Faye who pounced on the rebound when goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu spilled a low shot onto his path.
The Eagles proligacy in attack continued and they almost went 2-0 behind but had the impressive centreback, Benjamin Frederick to thank for having a great game.
The towering defender was Nigeria’s outstanding player alongside the injured midfielder, Daniel Daga, who was substituted after a knee injury, Prime Business reports.
Nigeria’s next Group A match is against hosts, Egypt, who were held to a scoreless draw by Mozambique in the opening of the tournament.
Similarly, Senegal will battle Mozambique in the other group game.
Nigeria are seven-time champions of the tournament formerly called the African Youth Championship, while Egypt have won four times in the past.
