F/EAGLES DEVOUR MAURITANIA 5-0, QUALIFY FOR NATIONS CUP

Flying Eagles of Nigeria have secured qualification for next year’s Africa Under- 20 Nations Cup to be hosted by Niger Republic by thrashing their Mauritian counterparts  5-0  at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos on Saturday.

Two goals in the first half and another three in the second half was all a well-motivated Under – 20 team needed to secure qualification for the biannual continental championships.

Wasiu Alalade opened scoring in the 11th minute with a beautiful curling and the team had to wait for the second goal of the encounter till the 33rd minute through Nazifi Yahaya’s beautiful goal. The eagles continued to mount pressure for more goals in the first half until the end of proceedings.

One resumption of second half,the Eagles continued to pile pressure which was rewarded in the 47th minute when Nazifi Yahaya added the third goal of the game. With cheers from the crowd, the Nigeria Under-20 side continued to thrill the fans and in the 72nd minute, Anekeme Okon added the fourth goal.

Coach Paul  Aigbogun side were in auto pilot mood until the 90th minute when Mahmoud Abdullah brought down Aneikeme  Okon inside the box and the resultant penalty was converted by Afeez Are u.

Reacting to the victory, captain of the Flying Eagles  Ikouwen Udo told thenff.com that the team had no other choice but to qualify after the promise made by first vice president of the Nigeria Football federation Senator Obinna Ogba.

“We have no choice after our vice president told us to go and win earlier today. Don’t forget that he assured us that our winning bonus have been restored”We are therefore condemned to win Okon stated.

The first vice president, who is also the leader of  delegation had earlier visited the players at their camp base with promises from the Nigeria Football President, Ambassador Chris Giwa ,of restoring match bonuses and a personal gift of N500,000 per goal scored.