Flying Eagles beat Young Squirrels to lift WAFU title
Nigeria’s under-20 male football team, the Flying Eagles, won the West Africa B Zone on Friday, defeating the Republic of Benin’s Young Squirrels 3-1.
They accomplished this by winning the final match of the WAFU B Under-20 Championship at Niamey, Niger Republic.
Tolulope Ojo’s magnificent goal in the 38th minute at the Stade General Seyni Kountché put Nigeria on the route to triumph.
Ojo, who plays for Ikenne-based Remo Stars, scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 62nd minute.
With 16 minutes remaining, Ibrahim Muhammad made it 3-0 by deftly winning the ball as the Beninoise goalie attempted to launch an assault and then heaving the ball over his head.
With a few minutes remaining in the game, the Squirrels scored a consolation goal.
The Republic of Benin defeated Burkina Faso in the first semi-final match on Tuesday after winning Group A, which comprised hosts Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo.
Nigeria, a seven-time African champion, was a deserving winner of the prize.
They began their campaign with a 2-0 thrashing of tournament hosts and continental champions Ghana, followed by a 2-2 tie with Burkina Faso.
They were pushed to their utmost in the semi-finals by an Ivorian squad with scorching pace and outstanding turn, but they still won 2-1 after extra time.
Nigeria and Benin Republic will now fly the WAFU B zone flag in the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations in 2023.
