2023 U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles trounce Tunisia 4-0 in third-place match

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria ended the 2023 U-20 AFCON on a positive note after defeating Tunisia 4-0 in the third-placed match on Friday.

The Ladan Bosso-led side put behind a disappointing semi-final loss to Gambia with an improved display against the Tunisians.

Goals from Ibrahim Muhammad, Ahmed Abdullahi and Jude Sunday, who had a brace, earned the Flying Eagles a first U-20 AFCON third-placed match win since 2013.

Both the Flying Eagles and Tunisia have already qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

The Flying Eagles marked a bright start with the opener in the ninth minute as Muhammad bundled home a cross from captain Daniel Bameyi.

In the 20th minute, Abdullahi almost doubled the Flying Eagles’ lead but saw his low shot well saved by the Tunisian keeper.

Tunisia thought they had equalised in the 20th minute but the goal was disallowed for offside.

In the 38th minute Tunisia won a free-kick in a decent area but Jebril Othman’s attempt went just over the bar.

Just a minute into the second half Abdullahi doubled the Flying Eagles’ lead after nicking the ball off a Tunisian player, ran towards goal before slotting into the net.

Sunday made it 3-0 on 49 minutes after dribbling past four markers before firing a left foot shot past the Tunisian keeper.

A few minutes later, Tunisia were awarded a free-kick close to the Flying Eagles box but the effort sailed over the bar.

With eight minutes left, Olamilekan Adams ran onto a through pass but hit his shot in the side netting.

Tunisia almost pulled a goal back in the 85th minute but Flying Eagles keeper Chijioke Aniagboso parried the effort away for a corner.

In the 90th minute, Sunday made it 4-0 when he cut inside from the left before unleashing a volley into the roof of the net.