Flying Eagles claim 7th AYC title
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria claimed a record 7th Africa Youth Championship after beating host Senegal 1-0.
A moment of magic from Bernard Bulbwa settled the keenly contested match at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar.
Senegal went on the offensive right from the kick off as Sidy Sarr called the Nigeria defense to action, but goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo was alert to the danger.
The host had a penalty appeal ignored by the referee after Zaharadeen Bello looked to have brought down El Hadji Malick Niang in the box.
Enaholo was called to action yet again as he denied Ibrahima Wadji in a one-on-one situation in the 12th minute.
Flying Eagles soon found their bearing and in no time Bernard Bulbwa put them ahead in the 20th minute.
His long range effort found the top corner of the net for a goal worthy of the occasion.
Senegal search for an equaliser almost paid off as the Flying Eagles defenders were caught napping after Mouhameth Sane nodded a Sarr corner kick to the crossbar four minutes to the break.
The host went in search of an equaliser barely two minutes into the restart, but Niang effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
A goalmouth scramble in the 54th minute almost presented the Senegalese an opportunity to draw level. The Nigerians cleared the ball to safety.
Bulbwa was in inspired mood as he almost got a second goal from a Musa Muhammed free kick, but Ibrahima Sy was equal to the task.
An error from the hitherto reliable Enaholo almost gifted the host the equaliser. Niang couldn’t make the Flying Eagles pay for it.
Late on, Enaholo was once again exposed but he quickly rallied round to make amends.
The last real attempt on goal in the game fell to Taiwo Awoniyi in the 88th minute, as his shot outside the area was pushed over by the goalkeeper.
The Flying held on to claim their 7th AYC title.
Earlier in the day, Ghana beat Mali 3-1 in the losers final to claim the Bronze medal.
well, that was a good performance from the flying eagles inspite of the poor pitch.