At the front office of the La Liga Nigeria Office in Abuja, from left, LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko; La Liga President, Javier Tebas; Spain’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfonso Barnuevo; the La Liga Africa Director, Mr. Antonio Baradas; and La Liga Nigeria office, Mutiu Adepoju
Nigeria, the World Under-17 champions, failed to reach next year’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia, falling to a shock 3-4 home defeat to Sudan who sealed a famous qualification. Nigeria hosted Sudan in Lagos leading 2-1 from the first leg, but Sudan – who had a man sent off – came from behind to level the tie 5-5 overall and progress on away goals.
Senegal qualified on Friday after eliminating Ghana, and South Africa went through with a win over Lesotho.
Nigeria, who have enjoyed much success in youth competitions both in Africa and globally, went into the return leg of their qualifier against Sudan as favourites to win.
Not only did they hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, they also had 15 members of Nigeria’s triumphant Under-17 World Cup winning side from Chile 2015 in their squad – including the top scorer from that tournament, Victor Osimhen.
The Flying Eagles started off well with Samuel Chukwueze putting the hosts ahead after 15 minutes to make it 1-0. Just six minutes later, Sudan equalised through Amghd Ahmed, but Nigeria again went in front when Bamgboye followed up a cross from Chukwueze and tapped in to make it 2-1.
But Sudan’s dogged determination helped them equalise again through Halid Abdamuleem to make it 2-2 at the break, 4-3 to Nigeria on aggregate.
With the pressure mounting on Nigeria, Sudan took advantage and stunned the hosts with a goal after 56 minutes from Walaadihh Musa to make it 3-2 to Sudan and 4-4 overall. Just five minutes later, the goal-scorer Musa was sent off for dissent.
Nigeria took advantage immediately with Orji Okonkwo scoring after 67 minutes to make it 3-3 on the day, but still Sudan ploughed on despite being down to ten men and losing 5-4 on aggregate.
Their reward came seven minutes from time when Halid Abdamuleem scored a shock winner for Sudan, his second of the game. Nigeria were unable to respond, with Sudan famously holding on to win 4-3 and progress on away goals after the tie ended 5-5 on aggregate.
Another country missing from Zambia 2016 will be Ghana who fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Senegal on Friday. Ghana are the only African team to have won the Under-20 World Cup, lifting the trophy in 2009 with a penalties victory over Brazil in the final in Egypt.
However, Senegal’s 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Dakar proved decisive, with Ghana failing to claw back the deficit.
Ghana gave the home fans some hope when they went 1-0 up, but Senegal’s dogged defence stopped them from adding to the tally, with Senegal becoming the first side to join the hosts Zambia at next year’s finals.
South Africa will also be at the finals after a 3-0 win over Lesotho yesterday, winning 5-0 on aggregate. Goals from Liam Jordan, Sibongakonke Mbatha and Sidney Mtshweni gave Amajita a comfortable victory.
