After a pretty impressive campaign at the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria has been denied a final ticket by Guinea.
Nigeria Vs Guinea
Nigeria was the favorite to win the game, however, Guinea was not prepared to leave without a good fight.
The Guineans held Nigeria to a goalless draw after regulation time.
A penalty decision and a stroke of luck saw the Guineans win the well-fought game and advance to the final of the U-17 AFCON.
Guinea tried to get on the front foot early into the encounter via a brilliant long-range effort by Algassime Bah, but Stephen Sunday produced an impressive save, tipping the ball onto the cross bar.
Nigeria came close minutes later, but Wisdom Ubani’s shot missed the goal.
The Guineans employed a rather impressive tiki-tika strategy against the Golden Eaglets, leaving Nigeria with little time on the ball.
The Eaglets had to find a solution to Guinea’s unsettling game plan, and Ubani was the solution.
The Nigeria team depended on the forward’s quick pace and slick skill to take the team ahead, but the youngster could not finish on any of his imposing moves, as his shots either hit the crossbar or went into corner kick.
Both teams could not made good on any of their chances until the final whistle.
Into the penalty round, it was clear both Guinea and Nigeria had everything to lose as the players unleashed their wits on the goalkeepers.
At the end of twenty penalties, Guinea had scored 10/10, while Nigeria scored 9/10.
Oduko shot Nigeria’s 10th penalty right into the hands of the Guinea goalie, ending Nigeria’s title run at the U-17 AFCON.
Featured image source: Nairaland Forum