Nigeria's Flying Eagles have secured their place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup after defeating defending champions Senegal 3-1 on penalties in a tightly contested quarter-final match at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Ismailia on Monday.

Following this crucial victory, goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who made two decisive saves during the penalty shootout, has declared that the team will now focus on winning the continental trophy.

"We are not celebrating yet," Harcourt stated after the match. "Getting the World Cup ticket was our most important goal, and we're grateful to have achieved that. But our full focus is now on finishing the job — we want to be African champions."

The Flying Eagles, under the guidance of coach Aliyu Zubairu, will face South Africa's Amajita in the semi-final scheduled for Thursday at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.

The victory against Senegal marks a significant achievement for the Nigerian team, as qualifying for the World Cup was identified as their primary objective for the tournament. However, with that goal now secured, the squad has set their sights on reclaiming the African title.

Nigeria has a rich history in the U-20 AFCON, having won the tournament seven times previously. A victory in this year's edition would further cement their status as one of Africa's most successful youth teams.

The semi-final against South Africa promises to be another challenging encounter for the Flying Eagles as they continue their quest for continental glory.