Flying Eagles qualify for

Nigeria U20s on Sunday qualified for
next year’s AYC after they defeated
South Africa 3-1 to advance 4-2 on
aggregate.
Flying Eagles coach John Obuh
commended the resilience of the
South Africans.
“They are a very good team and they
kept us on our toes from start to
finish,” said Obuh.
“Kudos to the entire team for putting
in their best to ensure we will be in
Algeria to now defend our crown.”
The Flying Eagles took the game from
the first blast of the whistle but it was
not until the 38th minute when MVP
Abduljaleel Ajagun turned smartly
inside the six-yard box before firing
past goalkeeper Lebo Ngubeni.
But almost immediately the Amajita
drew level on the back of a quick
counter attack as the Nigerians seem
to still be celebrating their opening
goal.
And again it was danger man Thabani
Mthembu who scored for South
Africa, just as he had done two weeks
ago in Nelspruit.
“It was a mistake on our part as we
over celebrated our goal and we got
punished for it,” lamented Obuh after
this exciting clash between two good
sides.
The game was then delicately
balanced at 1-1 before Ajagun
delivered the best goal of the day on
45 minutes when he blasted home
into the roof of the net to the relief of
the big crowd at the Kwara State
Stadium.
Enugu Rangers striker Alhaji Gero
further settled the nerves of the home
crowd when he slipped home a stylish
through ball by the outstanding
Ajagun. It was his fourth goal of the
campaign.
However, to the credit of the visiting
South Africa they did not give up the
fight as they now opened up and took
the game to their hosts.
Goalkeeper and skipper Samuel Okani
was at his best as he kept out a goal-
bound shot in the 74th minute and in
stoppage time, Okani tipped another
effort for a corner as Amajita
continued to press for another goal.
And when the Ghanaian referee blew
the final whistle, players, officials and
fans erupted into a wild celebration.
Flying Eagles vs South Africa
Samuel Okani (skipper) – Mohammed
Aliyu, Kenneth Omeruo (Shehu
Abdullahi 46), Ikechukwu Okorie,
Chizoba Amaefule – Moses Orkuma,
Abduljaleel Ajagun, Chidi Osuchukwu
- Bright Ejike (Yahaya Adamu 64),
Alhaji Gero (Uche Agbo 75), Umar
Aminu
Unused Subs: Jonah Usman, Halilu
Obadaki, Agboyi Ovboka, Harrison
Egbune
Coach: John Obuh
Booking: Alhaji Gero 53