Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets booked a spot in the semi-finals of the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania after they held Uganda to a 1-1 draw in their last Group A clash at the Chamazi Stadium, Mbagala on Saturday, Completesports.com reports.
The two-time champions who finished top of the standings with seven points from three games also secured the ticket to the 2019 FIFA U -17 World Cup in Brazil as semi-finalists at the African tournament.
Alou John scored for the Ugandans, while Ibraheem Jabaar was netted the equalizer for the Golden Eaglets in the game.
The Golden Eaglets dominated the opening exchanges but struggled to carve out any real chance.
Akinwunmi Amoo missed Nigeria’s first chance of the game shooting wide inside the box in the 17th minute.
Wisdom Ubani came close to breaking the deadlock for Eaglets on 20 minutes but his well struck free-kick from the edge of the box went inches wide.
The Ugandans carved out their first chance of the game in the 26th minute but Asaba Ivan could only hit the side netting from a good position.
Ubani had another effort saved by the Uganda goalkeeper a minute after the half hour mark, while Amoo nodded wide with the goalkeeper to beat on the stroke of half time.
The Golden Eaglets were quickly out of the blocks after the break with Ubani having a shot saved at close range.
Andrew Kawooya came close to putting the Ugandans ahead in the 58th minute but his beautiful taken free-kick hit the crossbar.
Uganda took the lead in 69th minute through John.
The centre-back nodded the ball home following a poor headed clearance by Jabaar.
The lead lasted only four minutes with Jabaar with coolly slotting the ball home after he was set up by a delightful pass by Samson Tijani.
The Golden Eaglets held on after the equalising goal to ensure their passage into the next round.
They will face the second place team in Group B in the semi-final on Wednesday at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam.
Angola finished second in the Group A behind Nigeria on six points after edging out Tanzania 4-2 in their last match played simultaneously with Nigeria-Uganda game on Saturday.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Nice tactical change from the coach bring in Fuwaz the no20 as his introduction made sure we had control of the game. A point was very important because Angola dismantled Tanzania and had plus 2 goals had we not won today we would have been out with plus one. Thank God for the wisdom to create awareness from this poor African medias else the story would have been different with the coaches already thinking 6points was enough forgetting two other countries can achieve 6points as well. Our next match will be a walkover until we meet Cameroon in final that is the real deal for me after overcoming Paa Kwesi Dreaded Uganda.
Didn’t see the game. Was the guy substituted early in the game injured!
Yellow card precautionary measure and the game was not balanced at the early minutes
Glory be to God. Nigeria will be in Brazil. These boys are wonderful.
good evening, there is a mistake in the last paragraph ‘Uganda instead of Tanzania’
Nice one boys. Bring the cup home.
The guy that was substituted early in the game, what it for injury or a tactical move?
Nice one boys
Eaglets played a very irritating game and as usual wasted tons of chances. I think they’ve become conscious of the scouts from Europe watching them . As a result the Eaglets now resort to individual show boating snd selfish football to impress. That will be Nigeria’s undoing
Spot on those scouts syndrome is getting into their head.
The boys did well.
Congratulations boys I’m proud of you Eaglets. God bless Nigeria!!!