Nigeria’s hopes of clinching an eighth title at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations came to a disappointing end as the Flying Eagles suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Gambia’s Young Scorpions in the semi-final of the 2023 tournament.
Early Blunder Seals Nigeria’s Fate
The decisive moment came just seven minutes into the match when a costly error by Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bamaiyi handed Gambia the breakthrough. Adama Bojang, quick to capitalize on the mistake, fired in the only goal of the game—one that ultimately sent the West African nation into the final.
Remarkably, Bojang’s effort was Gambia’s only shot on target throughout the match, underscoring Nigeria’s frustration at failing to convert possession into goals.
Flying Eagles Struggle in Final Third
Despite dominating long spells of the match, Ladan Bosso’s side lacked precision and imagination in the final third. The Nigerian forwards failed to carve out clear-cut opportunities, with Gambia’s disciplined defense soaking up pressure and disrupting Nigeria’s rhythm.
The Flying Eagles ramped up their efforts in the second half, pushing for an equalizer, but the Young Scorpions remained compact and resolute, frustrating their more experienced opponents.
Penalty Drama and Missed Opportunity
Nigeria came agonizingly close to leveling the score with just six minutes left on the clock. Substitute Ahmed Abdullahi was brought down inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a spot-kick. Hopes were high as KAA Gent forward Ahmed Abdullahi stepped up to take the penalty.
However, in a dramatic twist, Abdullahi’s effort crashed against the woodwork, leaving his teammates and fans in despair as the last major chance to force extra time slipped away.
Gambia Reduced to Ten Men Late On
In the dying minutes of the contest, Gambia were reduced to 10 men following a reckless challenge from Haruna Njie, who received a straight red card. Unfortunately for Nigeria, the numerical advantage came too late to alter the outcome.
Bosso’s team pressed forward during added time, but Gambia held firm to secure a historic win and advance to the final, continuing their impressive unbeaten run in the competition.
Third-Place Clash with Tunisia Up Next
While their dreams of lifting the U-20 AFCON title may have ended, the Flying Eagles still have a shot at finishing the tournament on a positive note. They will face Tunisia in the third-place playoff on Friday.
Tunisia also fell in their semi-final clash, losing heavily to Senegal, who now await Gambia in what promises to be a thrilling all-West African final.
For Nigeria, Friday’s bronze medal match provides a final opportunity to redeem themselves and end the tournament with some consolation after a campaign that has seen moments of promise but ultimately ended in disappointment.
