So soon after silencing Super Sand Eagles in the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations ultimate match on Friday, Senegal on Sunday dumped another team from Nigeria, as they beat the Flying Eagles 2-0 in the WAFU U-20 Nations Cup final on Sunday.
The Flying Eagles, handled by former Warri Wolves and Enyimba of Aba coach, Paul Aigbogun were forced to settle for silver medals in Lome, Togo after losing to Senegal in the final.
Aigbogun’s side fell to a more tactical Senegal in the final after they had edged past probably the best team of the competition Mali.
The Junior Teranga Lions were very organised and managed the final well, after the Flying Eagles started the contest brightly only for Senegal to come back stronger in the second half leading to their two goals.
Even after falling behind to Senegal, the Flying Eagles were presented two clear chances to draw level and thereafter the Junior Teranga Lions netted their second goal to kill off the final.
It was sweet revenge for the Senegalese who, as hosts of the 2015 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, were among victims the Flying Eagles mauled on their way to a seventh continental title.
The Nigeria U20 boys had beaten the host nation 3-1 in the opening match and then ended the tournament by pipping the Senegalese 1-0 again in front of their fans in Dakar, to clinch the trophy.
Defeat is bound to sting the Flying Eagles into harder preparations for the 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, for which they have been paired with hosts Niger Republic, South Africa and Burundi in Group A.
Senegal will play Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana in Group B (all – West Africa affair) at the 2019 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic.
The championship, which will produce Africa’s four representatives for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland, will take place 2nd to 17th February 2019.
After a scoreless draw with Niger Republic, Aigbogun’s wards thrashed Ghana’s Black Stars 4-2 to reach the semi finals from a depleted Group B – courtesy of the withdrawal of Benin Republic.
In the semi finals, they prevailed over Mali 5-4 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1.
However, on Sunday evening, Sagna Amadou got the Junior Lions of Teranga in front two minutes after the re-start, and Youssouph Badji made it two with 20 minutes left on the clock.
