Nigeria’s Flying Eagles eliminated Cote d’Ivoire from the 2015 AYC after they forced them to a 2-2 draw in a final Group A match on Saturday in Mbour and allowed hosts Senegal qualify for the last four of the tournament.
Nigeria thus maintained their leadership of the group with seven points, while Senegal sneaked into the last four after the beat Congo 4-3 at the death in the other group game in Dakar.
Senegal thus finished on four points, a point more than third-placed Cote d’Ivoire.
Cote d’Ivoire took the lead after just five minutes through Degbole Niangbo, who fired home from a long ball which beat the Nigeria defence completely.
However, the Flying Eagles drew level in the 27th minute when Obinna Nwobodo set up Christian Pyagbara from the left side, who slotted past onrushing goalkeeper Seck Diagbate.
The Ivorians went ahead again through big striker Chris Bile Bedia in the 33rd minute when the Nigeria defence again went to sleep.
Skipper Musa Muhammed drew Nigeria level after 68 minutes from the penalty spot after Mustapha was felled inside the box by an Ivorian defender.
Yakou Meite had a chance in the 83rd minute to regain Cote d’Ivoire but his shot from inside the box flew wide off target.
And four minutes later, Nigeria suffered another scare when Ojo came off his lines but Bedie could not finish off the move.
Source: NFF
