Nigeria wins AYC, defeats Senegal 1-0

Posted by News Express | 23 March 2015 | 3,829 times

Nigeria last night defeated host Senegal 1 – 0 to win her 7th African Youth Championship title and it came through the sheer brilliance of Bernard Bulbwa.

The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and almost got the first goal on six minutes but Joshua Enaholo’s great reflexes denied Malick Niang after a flowing Senegalese move.

Senegal was all over Nigeria in the opening moments of the game and almost scored the opener in the 12th minute but Enaholo was outstanding again, this time, denying Niang a sure goal with an unconventional stop with his feet from point blank range.

Three minutes later, the hosts came close again through El Malick Niang whose header just flew off target.

The home fans were bouncing in the stands as the Young Teranga Lions looked to exact revenge on the Flying Eagles following their 1-3 defeat to the Nigerians in the opening game of the competition.

On 19 minutes, Bernard Bulbwa silenced the home support with a goal worthy of winning any game.

The forward took a long pass with the outside of his right foot before hitting an unstoppable volley beyond the reach of a shell-shocked Senegalese goalkeeper.

The two sides traded excellent opportunities all throughout the game but the Flying Eagles held out for a famous win.

Flying Eagles skipper, Musa Mohammed was adjudged the highest goal scorers with an award.

The FC Hart of Abuja defender totaled four goals in five matches at the tournament.

Nigeria will now compete in Group E of the 2015 Fifa under-20 World Cup alongside Brazil, North Korea and Hungary.

The World Cup begins in New Zealand on May 30 and runs till June 20.

*Adapted from Daily Sun. Photo shows victorious Flying eagles

Source: News Express