Nigeria edge Cote d’Ivoire on penalties to reach WAFU B U20 Championship final

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles reached the final of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship after overcoming hosts Cote d’Ivoire in a dramatic semi-final decided by penalties on Wednesday.

The match finished 2-2 after extra time at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, before Nigeria prevailed 4-3 in the shootout. Goalkeeper Lawani was the decisive figure, saving two spot-kicks to send the Nigerian U20 side through.

Cote d’Ivoire made the stronger start and took the lead in the 17th minute through Namory Keita. The hosts’ early pressure was rewarded as they capitalised on their control of the opening stages to move in front.

Nigeria found it difficult to establish any rhythm before the interval. Cote d’Ivoire enjoyed more possession, limited the Flying Eagles’ opportunities and prevented their opponents from creating clear chances in the final third.

The hosts therefore went into half-time with a 1-0 advantage.

Nigeria improved after the restart and began to apply greater pressure as they searched for an equaliser. Cote d’Ivoire continued to defend their lead, but the Flying Eagles eventually found a way through in the 67th minute.

Habila Simeon brought Nigeria level with a powerful header. The defender attacked a long throw-in into the penalty area and directed his effort beyond the goalkeeper to make the score 1-1.

Neither side was able to find a decisive goal during the remainder of normal time, sending the semi-final into extra time.

Nigeria began the additional period on the front foot and took the lead shortly after the restart. Abubakar Aliyu rose highest to meet another long throw-in and produced a fine glancing header to put the Flying Eagles 2-1 ahead.

Cote d’Ivoire responded in the 104th minute. Nigeria failed to clear the danger inside their defensive area, allowing the hosts to equalise and restore parity at 2-2.

There were no further goals during extra time, meaning the outcome had to be settled by a penalty shootout.

Lawani then produced the crucial contribution for Nigeria by stopping two spot-kicks. The saves helped the Flying Eagles secure a 4-3 victory on penalties and book their place in the final of the regional Under-20 competition.

Nigeria had been forced to withstand a difficult contest against the hosts, who had controlled much of the opening half and twice taken the lead during the match. However, goals from Habila Simeon and Abubakar Aliyu, followed by Lawani’s shootout heroics, earned the Flying Eagles their place in the championship decider.

Wale Adejumo