Nigeria Qualifies For 2013 U-20 World Cup

Nigeria last Saturday qualified for the 2013 U-20 World Cup in Turkey after beating DR Congo 3-1 in a final group game at Oran, an official has said.

A statement issued by the team Media Officer, Sam Audu, in Abuja, said that the defending champions thus finished second in Group ‘B’ on six points.

Mali, who surprisingly lost 2-0 to Gabon, finished top by virtue of a better head-to-head record as they also recorded six points.

It said the defending champions will now face Egypt on Tuesday in one of the semi-finals, while Mali battle Ghana for the right to play in the championship game at the weekend.

Flying Eagles coach John Obuh said: “The most important thing was for us to qualify for the World Cup and we have done that.

“And now that we have done that, we can look forward to our next game with a lot of confidence.”

The statement said both Nigeria and DRC started out brightly on Saturday at the Ahmed Zabana Stadium, but like it was in previous group games, the Flying Eagles carved out clear-cut openings.

Umar Aminu, who replaced the suspended Olanrewaju Kayode, came close after 10 minutes with an angled shot which did not miss by much.

On 22 minutes, goal-bound Edafe Egbedi was upended inside the DRC vital area, but his appeal for a penalty was overlooked by the referee from Rwanda.

Three minutes later, skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun scoffed his shot when well inside the box.

The Nigerians were finally rewarded for their attacking play in the 32nd minutes when Egbedi was brought down again on his way to goal.

Ajagun stepped up to tuck the ball past goalkeeper Landu Bakala.

It said the Flying Eagles doubled their lead on 39 minutes when Aminu finished off another build-up with a simple tap in from inside the box.

Aminu got his brace two minutes after the break when he chipped beyond the DRC goalkeeper.

Ajagun then had his effort ruled for offside in the 53rd minute. But to the credit of the DRC, they did not surrender and their persistence finally paid off in the 72nd minute when Mukanisa Pembele smashed home from inside the box.

Substitute Uche Agbo saw his powerful shot scrambled for a corner by the goalkeeper two minutes from the end.