The Nigeria U20 football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations semi final after narrowly edging Uganda 1-0 in a quater final clash held on at Cairo Stadium on Thursday evening. Following the win, Nigeria will meet Senegal in the semis as the latter had earlier on advanced following their 1-0 win over Benin. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7059831##Besides booking a place in the final four, Nigeria have also, qualified for the World Cup set to be held in Indonesia in May. Nigeria showed that they wanted the win more as they dominated the game and created spaces in the Ugandan half that was crowded as the latter sought to bar the former from getting early goals.Uganda, looked dangerous on the break as the team, occasionally broke on the counterattack but were met with equal force by the Nigerians.South Sudan’s basketball national team captain unfazed by contract loss over loyalty to countryThe unwanted effects of having clustered legs in the Ugandan area were laid in the 30th minute as Ibrahim Juma turned what looked like an harmless ball into his own net.The ball had ricochoted off the woodwork only for it to hit Juma who was retreating to the goal line to help clear the danger but, the ball bounced off his shin and helplessly, sailed to the line.The heartbreak was not enough to kill the resolve by the neighbours to match the energy depicted by Nigeria as they, quickly dusted themselves off and staged an improved show. However, the Hippos were not sharp in the final third and hence, didn’t trouble the Nigerian defence much and would head down the tunnel for the breather while trailing. Uganda threw in two players before restart, looking to poke holes in the Nigerian back line and claw back to the game.Dan Shikanda content with AFC Leopards’ midterm reportNigeria nearly grabbed the second in the 48th minute but a line clearance by Rogers Torach who read the situation rescued the Hippos from sinking further.Uganda managed to sneak some balls to the Nigerian box but in all the occasions, Chijioke Aniagboso emerged top with decent saves that saw the team hold on the slim advantage.
