U-20 AFCON: Nigeria qualify for U-20 World Cup at expense of holders Senegal

Nigeria have knocked out defending champions Senegal in the quarterfinals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after Monday’s 3-1 penalty shootout win following a 0-0 draw. Nigeria will face either South Africa or DR Congo in the semifinals on May 15.

The Flying Eagles were the better side in a match played at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium, but scoring chances were limited at both ends. Nigeria qualified for the semifinals for the eighth time in their history.

The hot conditions made it difficult for both nations to play attacking football. The Young Teranga Lions’ goalkeeper, Mouhamed Sissokho, denied Kaparobo Arierhi and Divine Oliseh in the opening exchanges of the encounter. Senegal almost took the lead at the stroke of halftime when Cheikh Tidiane Thiam rattled the post with a header.

In the second half, Senegal started brightly. Striker Ibrahima Dieng forced a good save from Nigerian keeper Ebenezer Harcourt but both sides failed to capitalize on their limited scoring chances for the remainder of the ninety minutes.

Extra time showed strong attacking intent from the Nigerians but the tie remained goalless as both teams headed to penalties.

Nigeria goalkeeper Harcourt saved two penalties and Senegal left back Ousmane Konate hit the cross bar on his team’s fourth penalty, which clinched Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.