The Flying Eagles of Nigeria advanced to the quarter-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt despite needing to come from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Kenya’s Rising Stars in the last match of Group B on Wednesday.
With the result, the Flying Eagles finished second in the table with five points, two behind group winners Morocco, who defeated Tunisia 3-1 in the other match of the pool also on Wednesday.
Morocco will remain in Cairo for the quarter-finals, against the second-placed team in Group A, which is made up of hosts Egypt, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Tanzania.
Seven-time champions Nigeria will now have to make the trip to Ismailia for their quarter-final fixture on Monday, against the second-placed team in Group C, which has holders Senegal, Ghana, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kevin Wangaya put Kenya ahead after only five minutes, scoring from the penalty spot after a Nigerian defender stopped the ball with his hand in the box.
The Flying Eagles restored parity seven minutes later, as Kparobo Arierhi barged through the Kenya defence to place the ball firmly beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
The East Africans were back in front in the 68th minute, but the Flying Eagles equalised again, with captain Daniel Bameyi sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot after substitute Mendos Rickson was fouled in the box.
The Flying Eagles’ match on Monday will be the first quarter-final, to be held in Ismailia.
