Senegal defeated Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0 on Sunday in Cairo in their opening match of the 2023 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the victory propels Senegal to the top of Group A of the “Egypt 2023” competition.
The Young Lions of Teranga made a strong start in midfield, with Lamine Camara and team captain Samba Diallo pulling the strings for the WAFU-A champions.
Senegal’s intentions were clear from the start, with striker Pape Diallo wreaking havoc in the Nigerian penalty box.
Following Camara’s inviting delivery, Pape Diallo saw his header saved by Nigerian goalkeeper Nwosu on the half-hour mark.
Faye’s close-range finish resulted from the lanky forward being the first to react to Pape Diop’s low effort, which Nwosu turned to his path.
The Flying Eagles pushed harder for an equalizer in the second half, but Senegal defended well to keep a clean sheet, and Samba Diallo came close to doubling their lead.
That was when his diving header missed the bottom corner of the Nigerian goal.
Changes by Nigeria in the second half, in the substitution of Halliru Sarki for Emmanuel Uchegbu and the introduction of Jude Sunday for Ibrahim Mohammad, could still not help matters.
To make matters worse, the Flying Eagles were reduced to 10 men following substitute Ahmed Abdullahi’s sending-off in the closing stages of the match.
The forward had replaced Olamilekan Adams, but a high-foot challenge on a Senegalese could only earn him a 90th minute sending-off.
Senegal though missed two late chances earlier, through second-half substitute Mame Ngom.
He failed to hit the target twice when he beat the goalkeeper to the ball only to fire over the goal.
NAN reports that the Flying Eagles will now take on hosts Egypt on Wednesday at the same venue in their second group phase game.
The hosts had earlier in the day in the competition’s opening match drawn goalless with Mozambique.