Nigeria’s U20 national team, Flying Eagles, thumped the Sparrow Hawks of Togo 3-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing U20 WAFU B Tournament, www.aclsports.com reports.
Having defeated Ghana’s Black Satellites on the opening day, Abdu Maikaba’s boys carried the momentum into their second Group B game against Togo in Yamoussoukro on Thursday, claiming a comfortable win.
Togo’s Sparrow Hawks came out strong and proved difficult in the first half. The Flying Eagles dominated early but were almost caught napping in the 38th minute when Togo missed a clear chance and shot wide. The game opened up towards the end of the half, with both sides launching onslaughts, but there was no breakthrough from either team.
After a goalless first half, the Flying Eagles came out of the changing rooms with renewed energy and motivation; and just a minute into the second half, they went in front. Striker Muiz Adeleke, who netted a brace against the Black Satellites on Monday, put the Flying Eagles ahead to make it 1-0.
Adeleke got his second a minute before the hour mark. It was yet another quick counter from Nigeria; the former U17 star rounded the Togolese goalkeeper before putting the ball in the net to complete his brace. Nigeria continued to stay solid at the back, while they missed a great opportunity to increase the tally.
However, the handsome win was sealed in the 85th minute when substitute Abdoulaye Agbejoye replaced Adeleke and immediately got on the scoresheet to make it 3-0. The Flying Eagles held on till the final whistle to secure the victory and a place in the semi-finals.
For a place in next year’s U20 AFCON in Ghana, seven-time African champions Nigeria will now face Burkina Faso on Sunday in what promises to be an explosive encounter.
