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

Nigeria U20 reached the final of the ongoing WAFU B tournament after defeating hosts Cote d’Ivoire 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

The result sends Nigeria through to the deciding match, where victory would secure qualification for the U20 AFCON.

Cote d’Ivoire made the stronger start and took the lead early in the first half. The hosts then managed to hold on to their advantage until the interval, leaving Nigeria facing a difficult task after the break.

Nigeria responded in the second half through captain Habila Simeone, who brought the sides level. Simeone reacted quickest after a long throw-in and finished the move to make it 1-1.

Neither side could find another goal during the remainder of normal time, meaning the semi-final went into extra time with the score still level.

Nigeria regained the lead shortly after the additional period began. Once again, a long throw created the opportunity, with substitute Abubakar Aliu getting the decisive touch to put Nigeria in front.

The advantage lasted until one minute before the end of the first half of extra time. Nigeria’s defence was caught watching the ball, allowing Cote d’Ivoire to score an equaliser and force the match into a penalty shootout.

The shootout ended 4-3 in Nigeria’s favour, with goalkeeper Clinton Lawani producing the key intervention. Lawani saved two spot-kicks to emerge as Nigeria’s hero and book his team’s place in the final.

Nigeria will now have the opportunity to complete the tournament by winning the title and securing a place at the U20 AFCON. Their progress came despite surrendering the lead late in extra time, with Lawani’s saves ultimately proving decisive.

The victory also means the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, were eliminated after a match in which they had twice taken the lead at key stages but could not finish the job in normal play or from the penalty spot.