Nigeria Flying Eagles wins Senegal 1-0 to lift CAF U20 trophy

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday defeated Senegal 1-0 to win the 19th CAF U20 Youth Championship.

Manu Garba’s team never looked in danger of being second best and they confirmed their class in the 18th minute when Bernard Bulbwa swivelled after collecting the ball in flight with his stretched leg, and fired a thunderous volley which beats keeper Sai of Senegal.
Senegal almost equalised two minutes later. Siddy Saar’s skill and prodding legs almost got his Senegal side an equaliser.
A freekick went to Senegal. Siddy Saar expected an assist from teammate but he went for glory. Obinna Nwobodo was then fouled and stretched out.
Senegal had their fair shots of the ball possession but the Eagles repelled several attacks by the Senegal side whose crowd supported them even when the goal failed to come.
The Eagles held on to claim victory. Ghana’s Yaw Yeboah was voted the Orange Man-of-the- Tournament.
Ghana had beaten Mali 3-1 in the third place game.
Morning reportage before the match below
It would be battle royale today at Stade LS Senghor, Dakar, as the Flying Eagles step out against the hosts, the Junior Lions of Senegal in the final of the 19th edition of the African Youth Championship.
The Nigerians are the only team to have beaten the junior Teranga Lions in the tournament – a 3-1 de­feat in the opening game. It was Senegal’s first ever game in the history of the competition which the Fly­ing Eagles have won a re­cord six times.
A draw and two wins later, Junior Lions of Sen­egal manager, Joseph Koto can’t wait for the final to kick off.
Speaking after the Lion cubs beat the impressive Mali 2-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday; the for­mer Teranga Lions’ boss praised his players and as­serted that the defensive frailties ruthlessly exploit­ed by Nigeria have now been fixed.
“The match was 50-50 and my players did very well to win. Football is not a science and I congratulate my team for a good job.” Koto said after the semi-final defeat of Mali.
“Our defence improved compared to the previous game where they fumbled under pressure. Also, our goalkeeper, Ibrahim Sy, had a good day but he was largely assisted by the im­pregnable backline.
“I’m happy to play Ni­geria again in the final and this is an opportunity to judge whether they are bet­ter than us. If they beat us again, then I will congratu­late them.”
Despite being rated as one of Africa’s top football nations, Senegal have nev­er won a football competi­tion on the continent and Koto feels this is about the time to cross the Rubicon. He has called on his coun­trymen to flood the Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor to support the team to victory.
“Senegal needs an Afri­can title and I’m urging all the fans to come to the sta­dium on Sunday (today) to cheer the boys to victory.”
His skipper Roger Go­mis has also promised fire­works against the Manu Garba-led Flying Eagles.