AYC: Egypt send Nigeria out
MARCH 27, 2013
Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh
African youth champions the Flying Eagles of Nigeria lost a hold to the crown they won two years ago in South Africa after they were beaten 2-0 by the Junior Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday.
But despite the loss suffered by the Eagles, Nigeria will still represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey as the top four teams from the continent secured automatic tickets to the biennial event.
In the other semi-final match Ghana eliminated fellow West Africans Mali 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the game remained goalless through extra time.
The John Obuh-led side incidentally defeated the same Egyptians in a friendly match in Egypt while they were preparing for the competition. But on Tuesday they could not match the skill and firepower of the young Egyptian team that have won all their matches so far in Algeria. They led Group A with maximum nine points.
Against Nigeria, Egypt’s Mahmoud Kharaba was the hero as he scored a brace with the goals coming in the 47th and 80th minutes of the game watched by a very sparse crowd. In the first goal he was unmarked in the box and fired home with his left foot. The second goal was scored off a header connected from a free kick at the left edge of the Nigerian box. Just as it was with the first goal, the young striker was also unmarked and enjoyed a free header.
“We did not take our chances especially in the first half,” lamented Obuh.
“Egypt were more determined and they went for it. They were also lucky.”
Egypt coach Rabiea Yassin admitted Nigeria controlled the game in the first half.
“Nigeria controlled the first half, but they did not have any clear chances,” Yassin said.
Some of the Nigerian players wept as they walked off the pitch to the dressing room. Many were hopeful of fruitful reception back home if they had won the trophy having seen the cash-rain still being enjoyed by the Super Eagles after winning the Africa Nations Cup. The Nigeria Football Federation had increased their win bonus as part of strategies to buoy them up for the coveted cup. The Nigerians were chasing a seventh win for the AYC trophy. The last edition made it a record sixth title for the Flying Eagles.
The Egyptians who are now favourites for the cup will now face the Ghanaians in the Saturday final game. Mali will take on Nigeria in a Group B rematch on Friday by 5.30pm in Oran to determine the third-placed team. The Malians won the group game against their more illustrious counterparts 1-0 on the opening day of this tournament.
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