Nigeria’s youth national team, Flying Eagles coach, Paul Osahon Aigbogun is plotting strategies that will help get victory for the second time in three months against Mali, as he aims to win Wednesday’s semi-final at the African U-20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic.
Footballlive.ng recounts that both sides also met in the semi-finals of the 2018 West African Football Union (WAFU) U-20 Cup of Naitons in Lome, Togo, which the Flying Eagles won 1-0.
Aigbogun said he is sure of an encore, as he seeks a place in Sunday’s final of the 2019 U20 AFCON, at the expense of the side that romped past West Coast rivals, Ghana to end as runners-up in Group B.
Nigeria, who finished top of Group A with seven points (courtesy two victories and a draw) have already booked a ticket to the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, but will seek to add flavour to their feat by winning an eighth U20 AFCON title.
Should they beat Mali this midweek, starting at 4:30pm in Niamey, the Flying Eagles may end up in the final against Senegal, who won Group B with nine points from three matches after they pounded Burkina Faso 4-1 in Maradi and face South Africa in the second semifinal on Wednesday.