Flying Eagles soar past Congo, secure spot in New Zealand
Nigeria became the first African side to secure a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 after beating Congo 4-1 to ensure at least a second place finish in Group A at the CAF African U-20 championship in Senegal.
The Flying Eagles, who were reduced to ten men in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Enaholo Joshua was sent off, opened the scoring five minutes into the contest through Ifeanyi Matthew before Muhammed Musa doubled their lead from the penalty spot ten minutes before half-time.
After the break, Nigeria made it 3-0 with Musa scoring his second penalty of the game, but Congo struck back around the hour mark to give Paolo Berrettini's side a glimmer of hope. However, Taiwo Awoniyi finished Nigeria's onslaught in the final few minutes to earn a 4-1 victory, worthy of at least second place in Group A, which earns the Flying Eagles a spot in the semi-finals of the competition and an all-important ticket to the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later this year.