Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has commended his players for keeping their cool and eliminating Senegal under tense circumstances in their U-20 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash on Monday.
Nigeria reached the U-20 AFCON semi-finals and secured a ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup after beating Senegal 3-1 on penalties in Ismailia, Egypt as the fixture ended 0-0 after extra-time.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the Flying Eagles hero against the defending champions, saving two of Senegal’s four kicks while his teammates converted all the three they attempted.
“We prepared for all scenarios, including penalties,” Zubairu said afterwards.
“I’m proud of the boys for executing under pressure.”
Seven-time champions Nigeria will face South Africa in the semi-finals on Thursday in Suez.
The South Africans defeated Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their own quarter-final, also on Monday.
The other semi-final is between Morocco and hosts Egypt in Cairo, also on Thursday.
All four semi-finalists have qualified to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile in September and October.
