27th March, 2013
The hope of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defending their African Youth Championship (AYC) title was ended by an organised Egyptian Under-20 team in Ain Temouchent, Algeria on Tuesday.
The Junior Pharaohs of Egypt defeated the Flying Eagles 2-0 with ENPPI forward, Mahmoud Abdel-Moneam Kahraba scoring both goals.
The defending champions started with a lot of buzz, but their flurry of activities counted for nothing.
Inside the first 10 minutes, Abduljeleel Ajagun’s shot in Egypt’s goal area was kept away by the quick response of Mossad Awad.
Supersport reports that there was little to cheer about the opening half though Ovbokha Agboyi had to make a brave clearance off the line to save Nigeria from going a goal down.
Two minutes into the second half, Nigeria were unable to clear their line as Omar Bassam flicked a free kick into the path of an unmarked Kahraba, to stamp the ball away.
Within a minute, Bassam was played through on goal but he could only chip the ball awkwardly over onrushing Nigeria goalkeeper, Jonah Usman to gather at a second catch.
Nigeria came close to levelling the score when Olarenwaju Kayode shook off his marker but instead only saw his side-footed effort blocked out by Awad in the 52nd minute.
Egypt then scored their second goal with 10 minutes left from just three attempts on goal.
The Flying Eagles showed their weakness of defending set-pieces as Kahraba, once again unmarked this time at the far post, to nod home Ahmed Samir’s free kick.
Substitute Bright Ejike then had two chances to score for Nigeria in the last six minutes of the game.
He first broke free in a one-on-one situation with Awad but failed to convert as the Egypt keeper cleared the ball off his feet and then in stoppage, Ejike lamely struck inside the box at Awad who gathered the ball with ease.
Nigeria will now play in the losers’ final at the Stade Ahmed Zabana in Oran on Friday.