…Await winners of South Africa vs DR Congo for her 10th Tournament Semifinal Game
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BY ENIOLA OLATUNJI
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The Nigerian Flying Eagles Monday at the Suez Canal Stadium, Ismaila-Egypt afflicted the Junior Lions of Senegal wounding the Defending Champions 3-1 via penalty shoot out to fly straight into the world cup finals in Chile but waiting to see whether the team can be crowned African U20 champions for a rare record 8th time.
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It was weeping and gnashing of teeth for the Lions who fought tooth and nail with the Eagles that frittered away many scoring chances especially in the dying moments of the regular time in the biting sun of Ismaila.
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Nigeria’s goal tender Emmanuel Harcourt was the hero of the match saving two poorly taken penalty shots. Konnate took the first shot for Senegal and Harcourt stopped it with the right foot; Faye scored his kick; Diouck played the 3rd miserable kick professionally stopped by Harcourt and then Diatta Dorival who the whole of Senegal looked unto to save the day kicked his shot against the right upright sending the Defending Champions home and giving Nigeria a sweet revenge.
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Precious Benjamin neatly scored his kick; Emmanuel Chukwu who had a good outing at the tournament outplayed the Sengalese goalkeeper and Israel Ayuba scored the 3rd for Nigeria.
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Thus, Nigeria awaits the winner between South Africa and DR Congo for the 1st Semifinal match at the same venue on Thursday 15th May at 6pm. It will be Nigeria’s 10th semifinal game in the tournaments. The South Africa vs DR Congo quarterfinal match is due for 7 pm tonight.
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Patmos Media in a preview had predicted the Nigeria vs Sengal match will end in penalty shootout but while writng this report , Egypt has 2-0 against Ghana in the 44 minutes of play while Morocco and Sierra Leone have 0-0 within same time. Winners here will also play 2nd semifinal at 30th June Stadium on 15th May.
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Senegal had beaten Nigeria by a lone goal in a group A match at the Cairo International Stadium handled by Ref Jalal Jaged of Morocco in the last tournament and I recall Nigeria went on to thrash Tunisia 4-0 to get the Bronze.
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The Semifinal Pairings on 15th May:
1. SAF/DRC vs Ngr/Sen at 6pm
At Suez Canal Stadium, Ismaila
2. Mar/SLE vs Gha/Egy at 9pm
At 30 June Stadium.
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Final is on 18th at Cairo International Stadium at 10pm but the 3rd place match will be decided before the final. All the semifinalists will represent Africa at the world cup in Chile.
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Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#CAF #NFF #KFF #MFA #TFA
#GFA #DRCFA #SAFA #SLFF
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