The Flying Eagles tonight booked their place in the last eight of this year’s U20 AFCON in Egypt after they saw off Mozambique 2-0 in Ismailia.
Nigeria thus finished as runners-up in Group A with six points from three matches, while Senegal won the group on nine points after they trounced Egypt 4-0 in Cairo.
Nigeria’s total dominance was finally rewarded in the 33rd minute, when Haliru Sarki picked out Samson Lawal on top of the box and the midfielder let fly past Mozambique goalkeeper and skipper Kimiss Zavala.
Eight minutes later, the Flying Eagles doubled their lead through another wonder strike by Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’.
Solomon Agbalaka won the ball before he set up ‘Beji’, who curled a beauty past the Portugal-based goalkeeper.
The Mozambican shot stopper denied substitute Jude Sunday a goal in the 57th minute, when he punched to safety a goal-bound shot.
Sub Ahmed Abdullahi was almost gifted a goal on 71 minutes, when the goalkeeper spilled a long ball.
In the 77th minute, Adams was denied by the goalkeeper from point-blank range as Mozambique continued to defend with their lives.
Flying Eagles starting XI vs Mozambique (4-3-3)
Chijioke Anigboso – Solomon Agbalaka, Augustine Njoku, Daniel Bameyi (Captain), Benjamin Frederick – Onuche Ogbelu, Mohammed Aminu (Jude Sunday), Samson Lawal – Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Beji’ (Ahmed Abdullahi 64), Francis Ayuba (Emma Uchegbu 64) (Abel Ogwuche 90), Haliru Sarki (Olamilekan Adams)
