The Flying Eagles squad
The contingent of Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, departed Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania on Sunday morning following a 1-1 draw with their Mauritanian counterparts in the first leg, final qualifying round for the 2019 Total Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
Abubakar Ibrahim put Nigeria in front after only seven minutes into the encounter at the Stade Olympique, but the hosts pulled themselves back on level terms in the 11th minute with the equalizer.
The Flying Eagles put up an impressive performance but in spite maximum three changes in the second half, the seven –time African champions could not secure a winner, leaving the fixture delicately poised ahead of the final leg at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Saturday this week.
Nigeria shot past Guinea Bissau in the earlier round, pipping their opponents 1-0 in Calabar following a 2-2 draw in Bissau, while Mauritania eliminated Guinea on the away goal rule, winning 1-0 in Nouakchott before losing 2-3 in Conakry.
“It was a tough game but our boys have the ability to turn the table in Nigeria’s favour in the return leg and qualify for the finals,” Abdulrafiu Yusuf, NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), who travelled with the team, said
Coach Paul Aigbogun started Sunday’s encounter with Detan Ogundare, Rabiu Muhammad, Ikouwem Utin (Captain), Ekene Olisema, Valentine Ozornwafor, Jamil Muhammad, Maxwell Effiom, Abubakar Ibrahim, Alhassan Ibrahim, Jesse Akila and Wasiu Alalade. In the second half, Nazifi Yahaya (for Jesse Akila), Adeshina Gata (for Abubakar Ibrahim) and Aniekeme Okon (for Maxwell Effiom) brought fresh impetus into the Nigerian challenge.
Coach Aigbogun said: “We went all out for victory, but I must admit the Mauritanians are a good side. We will prepare hard and get the victory we need to qualify in Lagos on Saturday.”
The 2019 Total Africa U20 Cup of Nations will be staged in Niger Republic.
OTHER RESULTS
Congo 2 Senegal 2
Burkina Faso 3 Gabon 1
Zambia 1 Burundi 0
Cameroon 1 Mali 1
SUNDAY: South Africa Vs Malawi
ON HOLD: Ghana Vs Benin Republic
Coach Brodricks-Imasuen reaches octogenarian grade
One of the most accomplished coaches of Nigeria’s youth teams, Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen is still celebrating making the octogenarian grade, having clocked 80 at the beginning of the week.
“I am a very happy man to have reached the age of 80. I give God Almighty all the glory,” a joyous Brodricks-Imasuen said.
Brodricks-Imaseun was head coach of the first Nigeria team to win a FIFA World Cup, with his U16 boys that stunned the world in 1985. The team captained by Nduka Ugbade and including players like Victor Igbinoba, Babatunde Joseph, Bella Momoh, Jonathan Akpoborire, Tonworimi Duere, Binebi Numa, Salisu Nakande and Sani Adamu defeated then West Germany 2-0 in the final of the inaugural FIFA U16 World Cup at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing.
Brodricks-Imasuen also led the team to reach the Final in Canada two years later, before they lost to then Soviet Union after penalty shoot-out, and was also in charge when the team featured at the 1989 finals in Scotland, losing out in the quarter finals to eventual winners Saudi Arabia.
The competition became an U17 event in 1991 (Nigeria was not able to feature as a result of a FIFA ban), but after Fanny Ikhayere Amun led Nigeria to victory in Japan in 1993, Brodricks-Imasuen was again called upon to tinker the squad to Ecuador in 1995.
The Nigeria Football Federation felicitates with Coach Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen.
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