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Flying Eagles midfielder Alabi Sulaiman has set his sights on continental glory after Nigeria booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Senegal, Footynaija.com reports.
Sulaiman, who made his first start of the tournament, delivered an impressive performance in midfield at the Suez Canal Stadium before being substituted in the second half.
Despite both sides failing to score in regulation and extra time, Nigeria kept their composure to seal a 3-1 win in the shootout, eliminating the defending champions.
The second #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 semi-final is written down!
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 12, 2025
Who’ll put their name in the final? ✍️ pic.twitter.com/B7Bp49yO5B
The victory not only secured Nigeria’s place in the last four but also confirmed qualification for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile — a major milestone for Sulaiman and his teammates.
“I am very happy for the victory. It’s a dream come true for me to qualify for the World Cup,” said the El Kanemi Warriors midfielder.
Sulaiman also underlined the squad’s determination to lift the trophy: “At this point, we just want to continue to focus on the subsequent matches so that we can win the AFCON.”
It goes down to . 4️⃣
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 12, 2025
Who’s ready for the #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 semi-finals? pic.twitter.com/TuIOAp8QOt
The seven-time champions will now face South Africa in Thursday’s semi-final, once again at the Suez Canal Stadium. South Africa reached the last four after a hard-fought 1-0 win over DR Congo.
The second semi-final will see hosts Egypt take on Morocco in an all-North African clash. Egypt needed penalties to overcome Ghana after a 2-2 draw, while Morocco edged past debutants Sierra Leone 1-0 after extra time.
Nigeria have failed to win the U20 AFCON in a decade with the Flying Eagles last lifting the trophy in 2015.
