Flying Eagles in fine start - Beat Senegal 2-0

Niyi Alebiosu in Abeokuta - 29.06.2008

Oseni celebrates after scoringNIGERIA’S Flying Eagles yesterday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta began its quest for a slot in the 2009 African Youth Championship (AYC) on a fine note with a 2 - 0 defeat of the Junior Lions of Senegal.

The coach Ladan Bosso-piloted side paraded mostly members of the Korea 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning squad with the Golden Eaglets which included Keeper Uche Okafor, skipper Haruna Lukman, Rabiu Ibrahim, Bolaji Ganiyu Oseni, Mathew Edile Origoya, Kingsley Udoh, Kabiru Akinsola, Chrisantus Macaulay and Alfa Yakubu among others.

Block buster, Oseni put the Flying Eagles ahead in the early part of the second half as the Senegalese were more defensive in their bid to run away with at least a draw.

Captain Lukman fought like a trojan to put his name on the score chart but always shot wide in front of goal.

Rabiu Ibrahim, christened Okocha by Nigerian fans, was a delight to watch with his crisp passes and robust moves but had to be replaced in the latter part of the second half.

Substitute Akinsola eventually made it two in the 81st minute when he pounced on a loose ball inside the box with a jab which caught the Senegalese goalkeeper helpless.

Coach Bosso in a chat with Tribunesports condemned the approach of his players to the game in the first half.

“My boys didn’t play well in the first half and I expressed my anger when I was talking to them in the dressing room that they must change their approach which they did and that helped us to score a second goal. I’m satisfied with the result as we would work harder to sail through to the next round”, he said.

Also speaking, Governor Gbenga Daniel commended the team for the victory. “I’m excited by the victory, I knew we would win the match but I don’t know the goal margin,” he said after the match.

Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Mr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba also told Tribunesports that the performance of the team was satisfactory. “The team has done well and the result is acceptable to the NFA”, he said.