12th African Games: Nigeria Defeats Mali 5-4 On Penalties, Through To Final in Men's Football Event

12th African Games: Nigeria Defeats Mali 5-4 On Penalties, Through To Final in Men's Football Event

The Nigeria U20 men's football national team on Tuesday outscored Mali in semifinal of the football event at the ongoing 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Detan was the hero as he saved four penalties and helped Nigeria booked a final ticket in the competition.

The duo of Nigeria's Flying Eagles players Success Makanjuola and Emeka Chinoso have kept their promise made before the start of 2019 12th All African Games in Rabat Morocco that they will take Nigeria into the final.

The Nigeria side dominated the game from the blast of the whistle and were awarded a spot in the 32nd minute after Mali's defender Traore dragged down enterprising Success Makanjuola, who tormented their defense.

Flying Eagles captain Ibraheem Abubakar stepped up to take the spit kick but failed to put the ball behind the net as the first stanza ended goalless.

The introduction of Emeka Chinoso in the 72nd minute further posed threat for the West Africans who found it extremely hard to cope with his aerial power.

The match was decided on penalty shootouts

after the two team could not be separated after the 30 minutes extra time.

Both were poor in taking penalties as they lost three out of their five spot kicks. Nigeria however, edged Mali after successfully converting two penalties during the 'first to lose' kicks while Mali lost the second penalty.

Flying Eagles scored all it's 5 kicks while Mali lost one and Nigeria progressed into the final 5-4 .