Nigeria saw off Uganda 1-0 to seal the reach the semi-final of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The win also confirmed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia.
It was a also solid defensive display from Ladan Bosso’s Flying Eagles as they held their own.
Uganda were unbeaten in the competition heading into the quarter-final match, and they posed a real threat on the counter as Nigeria struggled to create any real worry for the Ugandan defense.
As the game settled into a rhythm, Uganda looked the better team and were having a good attacking spell, but it was Nigeria that took the lead against the run of play.
Ibrahim Muhammad was released on the left flank, he struck a low shot,l that crashed off upright and, unfortunately, ricochet off Ugandan defender Ibrahim Juma and into the net.
Ultimately, it was the only goal of the encounter as Nigeria had chances to double their lead but failed to take it.
The attacking frailties encouraged Uganda to push for an equaliser, but, whenever they had the better of the Nigerian defense, Chijioke Aniagboso was always alert to the danger, making way saves from very difficult situations.
With the victory for Nigeria, it means one objective checked by Ladan Bosso and his boys, and now the second objective will be to achieve ultimate success in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Senegal have also qualified to the semi finals, and there is a potential rematch of the first group A game between the two, if both reach the finals.
