Flying Eagles Reach Quarterfinals After 2-2 Draw with Kenya
Nigeria’s U-20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, advanced to the quarterfinals of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Kenya’s Rising Stars in their final Group B match on Wednesday.
The match saw Nigeria come from behind twice, with goals from Kparobo Arierhi and team captain Daniel Bameyi cancelling out strikes from Kevin Wangaya and William Gitmu for Kenya.
Wangaya opened the scoring in the 5th minute, converting a penalty after a Nigerian handball in the box. Arierhi responded just seven minutes later, dancing past defenders to fire home an equalizer.
Kenya regained the lead in the 68th minute through Gitmu, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to score from a well-delivered free kick. However, Nigeria drew level again five minutes later, with Bameyi calmly slotting in a penalty after substitute Mendos Rickson was fouled in the area.
The result means the Flying Eagles finished second in Group B with five points, behind leaders Morocco who defeated Tunisia 3-1. Nigeria will now face the runners-up of Group C in their quarterfinal clash on Monday in Ismailia.
