Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, is excited as the Flying Eagles thrashed their Tunisian counterparts for their Third-place finish at the 2023 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nigeria defeated Tunisia 4-0 on Friday to clinch the bronze medal, setting a record of finishing on the podium in the competition a record 13 times at this year’s CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The last time the Flying Eagles finished third at the U-20 AFCON was in 2013.
A brace from Jude Sunday and a goal each from Ibrahim Muhammad and Ahmed Abdullahi earned the team their biggest win in the tournament.
The Ladan Bosso side had failed to reach the final of the Egypt competition after they lost to Gambia in the semifinal.
Describing the bronze medal as better than nothing, the Minister charged the team to put to good use the lessons learnt at the tournament as they prepare for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May.
“We were disappointed we couldn’t play in the final or win this competition as we planned to, but this convincing victory over Tunisia today (Friday) has redeemed some of the pain we felt last Monday after the Gambia game. A bronze medal is better than nothing,” Dare said.
“Now we have to also focus on doing a lot better at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia in May. There is very little time left but I believe the coaches now know where their focus should be in improving the team.”
For reaching the last four, Nigeria qualified for the U-20 FIFA World Cup which is to be hosted by Indonesia.
During the soccer encounter, Muhammad broke the deadlock in the ninth minute after bundling in captain Daniel Bameyi’s cross.
Abdullahi went close to doubling the lead in the 20th minute but saw his low shot well saved.
Tunisia had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be disallowed for offside.
The Flying Eagles got the second half off to a perfect start as Abdullahi got the second goal on 46 minutes.
Abdullahi robbed a Tunisian of the ball raced towards goal before shooting past the keeper.
Just three minutes after Abdullahi’s goal, Sunday added the third with a brilliant solo dribble into the Tunisian box before volleying into the net.
With eight minutes left Olamilekan Adams ran on to a through pass only to hit his shot in the side netting.
Tunisia almost pulled a goal back with five minutes left to play only for Chijioke Aniagboso to deny them with a superb save.
Meanwhile, Senegal and Gambia will play final on Saturday, March 11.
