Nigeria’s U20 team, Flying Eagles, on Wednesday evening booked their place in the final of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over host nation Côte d’Ivoire.
The pulsating semi-final encounter ended 2-2 after extra time, making the penalty shootout inevitable. The hosts started on the front foot and controlled the tempo from kickoff. They came close to an early opener twice in the 12th and 14th minutes, but Flying Eagles goalkeeper Clinton Lawani was alert and kept Nigeria in the game. The pressure eventually told in the 16th minute when Côte d’Ivoire’s Kaita slotted home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Flying Eagles pushed for an equaliser before half-time with more urgency, but the Ivorian defence held firm to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Goalkeeper Lawani continued to be Nigeria’s hero in the second half. In the 59th minute, he produced a brilliant save to parry away a dangerous corner that looked destined to be the second goal. Both teams traded attacks as Nigeria chased an equaliser and the hosts sought to double their lead. The breakthrough for Nigeria came in the 67th minute when Captain Habila Simeon rose highest to nod in a pull-out and level the score at 1-1.
