Record Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 champions Nigeria were dealt an early blow in their chase for an eighth title as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Senegal in their opening match of the 2023 edition of the junior competition currently ongoing in Egypt.In the clash staged at the Cairo International Stadium, the Flying Eagles, who failed to qualify for the last edition of the tournament in Mauritania back in 2021, were undone by a first half strike from Souleymane Faye who grabbed the match winning goal on the 40th minute to give his side the perfect start in the tourney.FULL-TIME! ⏰ Senegal take the 3️⃣ points against Nigeria 🦁#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 | @Fsfofficielle | #SENNGA pic.twitter.com/l6cxMhBwQP— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) February 19, 2023 Nigeria qualified for the competition by virtue of emerging Champions at WAFU B U-20 regional tournament in May 2022 in Niger, in the process defeating 2021 AFCON cup holders Ghana 2-0, Cote’d Ivore 2-1 in the semifinal and Benin Republic 3-1 on final day to be crowned WAFU B regional champions.On the other hand, Senegal qualified for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations as WAFU-A champions in 2022 in Mauritania when they edged neighbors Gambia 1-0.AFCON U20: Egypt held by Mozambique in tournament openerHaving been beaten back in 2015 when the two West African giants faced each other in Dakar in that year’s final, Senegal got their perfect revenge as they went top of Group A where the two sides are joined by Egypt and Mozambique.In the opening fixture of the day, hosts Egypt were left frustrated as Mozambique held them to a frustrating barren draw in the tournament’s opening match.Ferdinand Omanyala: The stone that was once rejected but is now Kenya’s athletic cornerstone
