Complacent Flying Eagles World Cup Hopes Are Over After Loss To Sudan

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles kissed goodbye to 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Saturday in a pulsating 4-3 defeat to Sudan U20 that saw the holders crash out via away goals rule.

The final round of the qualifiers ended 5-5 on aggregate. The first leg encounter ended 2-1 in favour of the Nigerian U20 team.

Nigeria’s first nightmare came in the 21st minute when Amghd Ahmed cancelled out Samuel Chukwueze’s opener.

The lively Bamgboye restored Flying Eagles’ lead four minutes before the half hour.

Halid Abdamuleem pulled the visitors level as the first half ended two-all.

Some minutes after resumption, Walladihh Musa silenced the home fans when he put the Young Falcons in front for the first time in the thriller. Musa then turned villain when he was sent off on the hour.

The numerical advantage gave Nigeria the energy to pour more players forward.

Orji Okonkwo gave the hosts a respite with the equaliser twenty three minutes from time.

One more goal for the Sudanese  side in the final minutes would have sent them through on the away goals rule with a sensational result and they got it.

Abdamuleem Halid was the hero as he struck the goal that accounted for the scalp of the defending champions of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Igho Kingsley