Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on Sunday emerge runners-up at the WAFU Under-20 Cup Tournament in Lome after a 0-2 loss to Senegal in the final match.
After a scoreless draw with Niger Republic, the Nigerian side beat Ghana 4-2 to reach the semi-finals from a depleted Group B after the withdrawal of Benin Republic. The Flying Eagles semi-finals prevailed over Mali 5-4 on penalty kicks in the semi-finals after regulation time ended 1-1.
On Sunday evening, Sagna Amadou got the Junior Lions of Teranga in front two minutes after the re-start, while Youssouph Badji made it two with 20 minutes remaining.
The competition was organised to prepare the West African sides for the 2019 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations billed for Niger Republic on Feb. 2 to Feb. 17.
The Nigerian side has been paired with hosts Niger Republic, South Africa and Burundi in Group A of the African championship.
Senegal will face Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana in Group B.
The African championship will produce the continent’s four representatives at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Poland later in 2019.