Sports
Flying Eagles up against Ghana’s Black Satellites as WAFU B tourney begins
For Nigeria, the race to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations begins on Sunday when seven-time African champions Nigeria go up against arch rivals Ghana in a potentially –intense opener to Group B at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey.
Both West African giants will flex muscles at the Stade General Seyni Kountché in the Nigerien capital as from 5pm, with the winner certain to be on firm footing for a place in the semi finals from a pool boasting only three teams. Burkina Faso is the other team in the group, and they will take on the Flying Eagles on Wednesday next week.
Ghana are the defending champions of both the WAFU B U20 Championship and the Africa U20 Cup of Nations. In Porto Novo at the end of year 2020, the Black Satellites defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final to lift the trophy, and then went ahead to defeat Uganda 2-0 in the final of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania few months later.
However, the global coronavirus pandemic obliterated the global finals that were slated for Indonesia.
Head Coach Ladan Bosso returned to Niamey on Friday after attending the third-day fidau prayers for his late mother. Bosso believes his boys are in good spirit following a 1-0 win over the Niger Republic U20 team and another 4-0 win over a Nigerien top League team in their last two preparatory matches in Niamey.
Team Secretary Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal told thenff.com that officials of the Nigeria Embassy in Niamey have been very supportive of the team and are making efforts to mobilize Nigerians living in the Nigerien capital to come and support the Flying Eagles at the big match.
The tournament opens on Saturday with hosts Niger Republic slugging it out with the U20 boys of Cote d’Ivoire as from 5pm, while Togo and Benin Republic clash as from 8pm. Both matches come up at the Stade General Seyni Kountché.
Only the two finalists will qualify to represent WAFU B at next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Egypt. Indonesia will host the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals.
Sports
Lawal Delivers Another Brilliant Performance in Europe
After displaying great form for Istra 1961against Vukovar in the score draw encounter in the elite league few days ago in Croatia, Salim Fago Lawal has continued to enjoy rave of the moment status in the Eastern European nation.
On Wednesday, Lawal was on the scores sheet for Istra in the 75th minute against Kurilovec, but it was only for consolation, as Istra crashed out of Croatian cup in round 16.
It was a masterpiece display from the former Flying Eagles striker, whose work rate has shown great development after joining Istra from modest Nigerian clubside in 2023.
He has scored three goals and two assists, totally five – goal contribution as a striker so far this season.
Interestingly, two other Flying Eagles players, Israel Ayuma and Charles Agada, who are also former players of Mavlon FC, featured in the game and they gave good account of themselves.
Sadly, it was not the day of victory on the pitch for the three former players of Mavlon FC of Lagos.
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