AFCON 2025
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing WAFU B U-20 Championship after a convincing 3-0 victory over Togo’s Sparrow Hawks in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.
The seven-time African champions entered the match full of confidence following their opening-day win over Ghana and produced another impressive display to continue their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Despite Nigeria’s early dominance, Togo proved resilient in the first half and nearly took the lead in the 38th minute when they squandered a clear scoring opportunity. Both teams created chances as the game opened up towards the break, but neither side could find the breakthrough, leaving the contest goalless at half-time.
The Flying Eagles returned from the interval with renewed purpose and wasted no time in making their advantage count. Just one minute into the second half, in-form striker Muiz Adeleke broke the deadlock, continuing his fine scoring form after his brace against Ghana.
Adeleke doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 59th minute following a swift counterattack. The forward calmly rounded the Togolese goalkeeper before slotting home his second goal of the game and fourth of the tournament.
With a two-goal cushion, Nigeria remained solid defensively while continuing to threaten going forward. Their dominance was rewarded again in the 85th minute when substitute Abdoulaye Agbejoye made an immediate impact, finding the net shortly after replacing Adeleke to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
The result confirms Nigeria’s place in the semi-finals and keeps alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
Abdu Maikaba’s side will now face Burkina Faso on Sunday in a crucial semi-final clash, with a place at the continental championship at stake.
