By Sulaimon Jamiu
Nigeria’s national U-20 team tasted the sweet smell of victory, as the Flying Eagles defeated regional rivals Benin Republic 3-1 in the final of the WAFU Zone B competition.
The Nigerians who didn’t lose any game throughout the tournament showed their attacking prowess with Remo Stars, Tolulope Ojo, the main element in the sweet victory in Niger.
A Beninoise defender handled the ball in the box in an attempt to foil a Nigerian attack and Ojo converted the resulting penalty to give Nigeria the lead in the 38th minute.
The game took a feisty turn close to the end of the first half and at the beginning of the second half but Ojo’s 70th minute long-range effort gave the Flying Eagles a 2-0 lead and the Remo Stars’ player his second of the night.
Ibrahim Muhammad compounded Benin’s woes in the 77th minute as he lobbed an onrushing Beninoire goalkeeper to give Nigeria the third goal of the encounter. Benin pulled one goal back in the 84th minute to reduce the deficit.
Although the Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso, now on his third stint with the U-20 national team failed to grab the African Youth Championship ticket in 2020.
His current team has, however, banished the memory of the past as they look to qualify for the World Youth Championship in Indonesia.
They must however be one of the best four teams in the African U-20 Championship slated for Egypt in 2023.
