Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the African Youth Championship on a bright note, as they handed the hosts, the Junior Lions of Senegal a 3-1 defeat in the opening game inside main bowl of the Stade LS Senghor, Dakar, Senegal yesterday.
The Manu Garba-tutored team signaled its readiness for a serious business as Kalmar of Sweden forward, Taiwo Awoniyi beat an offside trap to register the tournament-opening goal in the early minute of the tie.
As if the first goal was just a fluke, danger man Awoniyi grabbed his second goal of the evening in the 11th minute to send the expectant Nigerian fans that had trouped to the stadium into frenzy. The Nigerian fans almost immediately started to jeer at their host team.
The Junior Lions were lacklustre with their defending, which gave skipper Musa Muhammed a field day to provide for the Nigerian attack. Muhammed was quiet inspirational with his overlaps and final delivery.
The Nigerian side was, however, stunned, as Sidy Sarr got the host a surprise goal in the 26th minute. The goal gave the hosts some hope and pressured the Flying Eagles defence with several attacking forays.
In the 36th minute, Chidera Ezeh failed to convert a begging chance after the Senegalese chief tormentor Awoniyi beats another offside trap.
The Flying Eagles almost punished for the miss as goalkeeper Joshua Enahoro made point blank save in the 37th to keep Nigeria in the lead.
The Junior Lions lost another opportunity to level up in the 40th minute of the tie.
Ifeanyi Matthew’s 20- yard strike beat Senegal’s goalie, Seydou as Nigeria led 3-1 at half time.
On resumption, the Senegalese looked to be more determined and tried to restore their pride as attempts were made to reduce the tally or level up.
In the 60th minute, Senegal brought in Elimane Cisse for striker Pape Cisse, just as Nigeria’s Jimoh Wasiu Oluwasegun stepped in for Bulwa Bernard
Seydou denied Nigeria the fourth goal with a superlative save in the 64th minute of the encounter.
Ezeh was withdrawn for the Ibrahim Abdullahi in the 66th minute.
Enahoro again proved his qualities with another point blank save. This time the goalkeeper stopped rampaging Mamadou Ndiaye to keep score line at 3-1 in the 70th minute.
Looking desperate for a goal, the host withdrew dazzling Ibrahima Wadji for Soro Mbaye to peep up their attack. The new entrant was close to restoring the homers pride but his curling shot missed the goal by inches.
source: Sun News Online
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