Coach Aliyu Zubairu has praised the strong character of the Flying Eagles after they fought back from a goal down to beat Niger 3-1 and qualify for the 2025 U20 AFCON.
Sunday night, The Junior Mena stunned the WAFU B defending champions with a ninth minute goal only for the Flying Eagles to fight back and win in style.
“I commend the boys, they showed real character to fight back and win the match, it was the same way they did against Cote d’Ivoire,” the coach saluted.
“We were disappointed when we lost to Burkina Faso in our opening game, but we have since bounced back to top reckoning.”
Zubairu said the team are delighted to have qualified for the U20 AFCON as this was their main target.
On Wednesday night in Lome, the Flying Eagles will defend the WAFU B U20 championship against perennial rivals Ghana in another Jollof Derby.
The Black Satellites of Ghana beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the first semifinal of the qualifying tournament.
The final will kick off by 8pm Nigerian time.
