Nigeria saw off Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach U20 African Cup of Nations semi final.
The 7-time winners edged the defending champions 3-1 on shootout, after playing a goalless draw after regular time and extra-time.
Goalkeeper Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt secured qualification for the Flying Eagles, as he denied Senegalese’s Mame Mor Faye’s spotkick.
Nigeria dominated the game as they looked to clinch the victory from open play from the first half. However, Kparobo Arierhi and Divine Oliseh had their chances denied by Senegal keeper Mouhamed Sissokho.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s Cheikh Thiam came agonisingly close in the 42nd minute with a header that rattled the post.
Both sides saw the regular time played out as goalless, leading to extra time, in a bid to reach the last four.
The Flying Eagles pressed with renewed energy, in search of a winner. Tahir Maigana’s curling strike in the 106th minute drew a fine stop from Sissokho, while Israel Ayuma’s long-range effort two minutes later was also denied.
Despite the dominance by the West Africans, the game ended in stalement after two hours of play, resulting into penalty shootouts at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Nigeria progressed to the semi-final ahead of Senegal, as Precious Benjamin, Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma converted their spot-kicks.
Meanwhile, Pierre Doriva, Mame Mor Faye and Ousmane Konate missed, as Seydi Diouck netted Senegal’s only penalty.
The defending champions are out of the tournament, as Nigeria marked their eighth successive quarter-final win at the U20 AFCON.
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