WAFU Cup: Flying Eagles up against Junior Mena
Admin l Sunday, Dec.09, 2018
ABUJA, Nigeria – The U20 National Team, Flying Eagles, will on Sunday begin their campaign in the WAFU U20 Cup Tournament in Lome, Togo as they square up with the Junior Mena of Niger Republic.
The Nigerien side on Friday shocked the Black Satellites of Ghana 1-0 in the opening match of Group B to send warning signals to seven –time African champions Nigeria.
Hosts Togo head Group A that also has Burkina Faso, Senegal and Mali, but the withdrawal of Benin Republic depleted Nigeria’s Group B. After playing Niger Republic on Sunday, the Flying Eagles will have to wait until Wednesday for their next match, which is a potentially –explosive encounter against arch rivals Ghana.
Head Coach Paul Aigbogun said on Saturday that the clash with Niger Republic at the Stade Municipal will be approached with all the seriousness it deserves.
“The fact that Niger Republic defeated Ghana is a message for us. No team can be under-rated these days. We will take the game as a battle and ensure we come out victorious. The Flying Eagles are seven –time champions of Africa; it is a pedigree that we intend to sustain.”
In Thursday’s opening matches, hosts Togo lost 0-1 to Mali and Senegal defeated Burkina Faso 2-0.
Supersand Eagles beaten on penalties by Senegal
It was another close encounter that eventually went away as four –time champions Senegal defeated Nigeria 2-0 on penalties following a 4-4 stalemate after regulation and extra time at the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Saturday. Two –time champions Nigeria took the fight to their regular nemesis but the Senegalese were up to the task and refused to bow to the firepower of the Supersand Eagles.
Emeka Ogbonna, who was voted Most Valuable Player of the CAF Beach Soccer AFCON that Nigeria hosted in Lagos in December 2016, was among the goals for the Supersand Eagles, while Fayowole Egan-Osi added one and Taiwo Adams weighed in with a brace.
The Supersand Eagles will clash with their counterparts from Libya on Sunday, starting from 1.15pm Egypt time (12.15pm Nigeria time). Their last group match is against Tanzania on Monday, starting from 2.30pm Egypt time (1.30pm Nigeria time).
