Senegal vs. Nigeria: Match preview as Flying Eagles kick off U20 AFCON with clash against Young Lions

The 2 West African nations lock horns in distant Egypt because the race for the World Cup begins

The stage is ready in Egypt for Nigeria and Senegal to play their opening match on the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, previously known as the African Youth Championships.

Positioned in the identical Group A because the hosts and minnows Mozambique, each Nigeria and Senegal will know a win might brighten their probabilities of reaching the knockout rounds of the event.

Solely the 4 top-placed groups of the twelve in Egypt will qualify to characterize Africa at this 12 months’s FIFA Below-20 World Cup finals in Indonesia from Could 20 to June 11.

Match Preview

Senegal arrived in Egypt desiring to elevate their first U20 Afcon event after ending runners-up thrice in 2015, 2017, and 2019.

The Senegalese have been very sturdy at this stage in recent times.

A troublesome nut to crack, the Younger Teranga Lions haven’t misplaced any of their final 40 official matches in regulation time. The final group to beat Senegal in open play was Mexico in a 1-0 win in 2017 on the FIFA U20 World Cup.

They’re on a five-match profitable run which features a 2-1 victory over Tunisia in a pleasant 4 days in the past.

The group’s spectacular report and pedigree make them a troublesome opponent to face for anybody, any day.

However within the Flying Eagles, Senegal meet arguably essentially the most nightmarish foe doable in African youth soccer historical past.

Nigeria are essentially the most profitable nation on the Africa U20 Cup of Nations with seven winners’ medals, two silver medals, and three bronze medals.

Solely two instances in 17 earlier appearances at this event has Nigeria not made it previous the group stage.

After failing to qualify for the final version received by Ghana, the Flying Eagles seem like in high-quality mettle but once more this time.

The Ladan Bosso-tutored facet landed in Egypt because the WAFU B regional champions and concluded their preparations for the tourney with an encouraging 6-1 pleasant win over Morocco’s Kawkab Athletics Membership U23.

A fortnight in the past, the Eagles defeated Zambia 4-2 in one other warmup recreation.

They’ll take some stopping in Egypt.

Head-to-head

In three earlier conferences between Nigeria and Senegal at this stage, the Flying Eagles maintain the bragging rights with two wins.

Each video games Nigeria received had been on the 2015 U20 Afcon hosted by Senegal.

The Eagles chopped the hosts 3-1 through the group phases and carved out a 1-0 win within the ultimate over the identical opponents to elevate their seventh title.

However the Younger Lions had a little bit of their pound of flesh after they defeated Nigeria 2-1 within the first knockout spherical of the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup.

What are they saying?

Senegal head coach Malick Daff:

“I don’t know something about my opponents. I’m basing it on the work I’ve performed. A very powerful factor is to determine our strengths, to have the ability to put them in place in every match, and win.

“We performed a whole lot of pleasant matches. Statistically, the group has scored 15 targets and conceded two targets. Our group scores targets and is defensively strong.

“That’s to say that there’s a stability on this group.”

Former Tremendous Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze:

“Thank God they arrived safely. Bosso understands the duty, which is to qualify.

“It received’t be straightforward for the Flying Eagles, and that is the primary time that Bosso is sounding so assured, so I hope his group will ship. That is additionally the primary time I’ve confidence in Bosso’s group.”

Match particulars

Competitors: 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations
Stage: Group stage
Match: Senegal U20 vs. Nigeria U20
Venue: Cairo Worldwide Stadium
Date: February 19, 2023
Kickoff time: 6 pm (Nigerian time)