The Nigeria U20 team started their campaign at the ongoing U20 AFCON with a slim 1-0 win over Tunisia thanks to a well worked team goal which was expertly finished by Ibrahim Auwalu in the 38th minute.
He produced a sweet left foot finish to end a sweeping team move which saw Divine Oliseh split the defence of Tunisia for him to score what ended as the winner of the game, and secures Nigeria’s first three points in the group.
Despite Nigeria dominating early proceedings and carving out several chances, they found a resilient Tunisian side determined to hold their ground. But in the 38th minute, Odinaka Okoro’s well-weighted assist found Ibrahim, who made no mistake from close range to put Nigeria in front.
The North Africans responded with urgency, nearly drawing level through Omar Ben Ali and Anis Doubal, but Nigerian goalkeeper and defenders held firm. Tunisia’s best chance came in the 87th minute, but Doubal’s strike was smothered in the centre of the goal.
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Nigeria’s energy in midfield, driven by Divine Oliseh and Clinton Jephta, helped them control long spells of the match, although the second half was more scrappy and littered with fouls. The game saw six yellow cards shared evenly between the teams, a sign of its growing intensity.
Tunisia, semi-finalists in 2021 and 2023, pushed hard in the final minutes with a flurry of corners and shots from distance, but could not find a way through Nigeria’s defensive line marshalled by Daniel Bameyi and Adamu Maigari.
The result gives Nigeria three vital points in a group that also includes Morocco and Kenya, while Tunisia now face added pressure heading into their next match.
Ade Emmanuel
