Bernice Larryoboh
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have booked their place at this year’s U-20 World Cup after edging Uganda 1-0 in Thursday’s quarter-final tie.
The Flying Eagles who are the second team to seal qualification to the World Cup after Senegal edged Benin Republic to become the first team to book their place, now wait for the winner of the quarter-final clash between South Sudan and Gambia.
Just 3rd minute into the game the Flying Eagles almost opened scoring through Ibrahim Muhammad but his left foot shot takes a deflection and goes just wide.
In the 7th minute Flying Eagles keeper Chijioke Aniagboso spilled a long range shot but quickly claimed the rebound before a Uganda player got to it.
Uganda almost opened the scoring through Ivan Irinimbabazi but his point-blank header from a corner was superbly stopped by Aniagboso.
The Flying Eagles got their first shot on target in the 12th minute from a free-kick but the attempt was well held by Uganda keeper.
In the 22nd minute Ayuba Abubakar took a low shot which took a deflection before rolling into the arms of the Ugandan keeper.
The deadlock was broken in the 30th minute as Muhammad’s shot hit the post before deflecting off Uganda’s Juma and ending inside the back of the net.
With five minutes left in the first half Rilwanu Sarki sent in a dangerous cross which was cleared away for a corner.
Three minutes into the second half Sarki could have doubled the Flying Eagles lead, after the Uganda keeper failed to properly hold a cross but his effort left was cleared off the line.
In the 55th minute Uganda captain Isma Mugulusi tried a shot from outside the box which went off the target.
Uganda almost drew level on 60 minutes but Aniagboso stopped Mugulusi’s close range strike.
Aniagboso was called into action again seven minutes later as he stopped a shot on target.
With few minutes left to play the Flying Eagles won a free-kick in a promising area but the effort just missed the target.
