Nigeria's Flying Eagles have secured a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup after defeating defending champions Senegal in a tense quarter-final match at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The seven-time African champions triumphed 3-1 in a penalty shootout at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Monday after both teams played out a goalless draw in 120 minutes of regulation and extra time.

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu praised his players for their resilience and execution during the match, highlighting their preparation for every possible scenario including penalties.

"We trained for this moment. Every possible scenario was prepared for — including penalties. The boys stuck to the plan and executed it when it mattered the most. That's what champions do," Zubairu said after the game.

The victory not only advances Nigeria to the semi-finals of the tournament but also guarantees their participation in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, as all four semi-finalists automatically qualify for the global competition.

Despite the significant achievement, Coach Zubairu emphasized that the team's journey is far from over, with their sights set on claiming the continental title.

"This is a big win for Nigeria, but we are not celebrating yet. We came here with a goal — to qualify for the World Cup and challenge for the title. One box is ticked, now we keep pushing," he added.

The Flying Eagles will now face South Africa in the semi-finals as they continue their quest for an eighth U-20 AFCON title. However, there are concerns about the availability of midfielder Oliseh, who is reportedly doubtful for the upcoming match.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has already charged the team to build on their World Cup qualification by winning the tournament, further motivating the squad ahead of their semi-final clash.