Nigeria VS Mali: Junior Eagles defeat Flying Eagles 4-3 on penalties to reach 2019 AYC final

Nigeria VS Mali: Junior Eagles defeat Flying Eagles 4-3 on penalties to reach 2019 AYC final

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:46 PM

- Nigeria vs Mali semifinal encounter at the 2019 AYC in Niger ended 4-3 on penalties in favor of the Malians

- Mamadou Traore and Paschal Durugbor scored for both nations in regulation time which ended 1-1

- Flying Eagles of Nigeria have however qualified for the 2019 Under 20 World Cup in Poland

Flying Eagles of Nigeria have missed the chance to win their eight African Youth Championship after losing 4-3 on penalties against Mali in the semifinal of the 2019 edition in Niger.

The regulation time ended 1-1 between Paul Aigbogun's men and the Junior Eagles of Mali who produced fantastic display of football in this tie.

Nigerian forward Yahaya Nazifi was unable to soar in this match against Mali, and the coach of the Flying Eagles was forced to substitute him in the 59th minute.

Mali scored their goal in the 78th minute through Mamadou Traore who beat goalkeeper Olawale Oremade perfectly to give the Junior Eagles the lead.

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Flying Eagles' defenders would have themselves to blame for exposing their goalkeeper to concede the goal from Traore.

But Nigeria restored parity six minute later through Paschal Durugbor who replaced Yahaya Nazifi in the second half.

The match eventually ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, and there was no goal scored also in the 30 minutes added time before the referee called for penalties.

Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties as Mali qualified for the final of the 2019 African Youth Championship, but the good news is that the Flying Eagles are going to the World Cup in Poland.

Earlier, Legit.ng had reported how Flying Eagles of Nigeria were on Tuesday evening, February 5, forced to a goalless draw by South Africa in their second match at the U20 African Cup of Nations championship.

Eagles went into this match with high spirit and boosted morale after beating Burundi in their first game, but they met more determined South African side who could have won the tie.

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Ibitoye Shittu
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